Joseph Sua’ali’i reveals his despair over horror Origin tackle in emotional statement – as Reece Walsh breaks his silence on the hit

Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i has declared he has ‘let my brothers down’ after serving a four-match ban that could end his State of Origin career after just seven minutes.

The NSW center was handed a heavy ban for his sickening shot that knocked Queensland star Reece Walsh out of the match.

The Blues center became only the sixth player to be sent off in Origin history – and the first to be marched off the pitch – when he launched out of the line and whacked the full-back high and late.

Sua’ali’i dug his Blues teammates into a hole a mile deep with his goal on Walsh (pictured)

He will now miss four games if he accepts the early guilty plea for the tackle, but the Roosters star is more concerned about who he has let down and whether Walsh is okay

The Roosters star revealed his regret over the wrong done by his teammates, family and NSW fans with the dreadful shot that left Walsh cold

Even the most one-eyed NSW supporter knew a farewell was coming with Sua’ali’i’s Origin future up in the air as he heads to rugby union in 2025.

The young man can fight the second-degree reckless endangerment charge in the judiciary, but he would miss five matches if found guilty by the panel, which would end his Origin career unless he returns to the NRL after his period with the rival code.

On Instagram, Sua’ali’i expressed his disappointment with his action.

“Mixed emotions,” he wrote. ‘Disappointed, my brothers and family dropped out. Blessed and honored to wear the blue jersey. #311.

‘On to the next.’

Standing before the media on Wednesday morning, Sua’ali’i spoke of how remorseful he is.

“Fail down my family, my state and most importantly my teammates. I think that’s the hardest part,” he said.

Walsh is pictured in the immediate aftermath of the shocking tackle, which he later said ‘got me on the chin’

‘I didn’t mean it at all. I went there to tackle him and I accidentally cut his head off.

‘I hope he’s doing well. I hope his family is doing well. I didn’t mean to hit him in the head.

“I haven’t reached out yet, but it’s something I’m going to do

On Wednesday morning, Walsh opened up about how tough the blow was.

After saying he was feeling good, the full-back said: “He punched me in the chin, didn’t he.

“It’s all part of the game, so it was a good hit and I’ve just got to keep rolling with the punches.

‘I don’t really want to comment too much on that side [whether Sua’ali’i should have been sent off] …I’ve just got to go out there and keep playing footy.

“We Queensland just continue to adapt and if adversity comes, we will deal with it.”

The superstar full-back appeared to make a quick recovery and was seen comforting his daughter Leila after finding her in the stands (pictured)

The Roosters have a bye this weekend and will play just four games before the teams are picked for game three, with Blues coach Michael Maguire unlikely to pick him having not played for more than a month.

Maguire said it was a ‘big decision’ to send off the rookie center so early in the match, citing an incident earlier this year when Walsh suffered a facial fracture after a collision with Penrith’s Taylan May.

“Earlier this year he suffered a broken jaw and wasn’t sent off, so it’s a big decision at this level,” he said.

‘It fell, but I have to look at it again.

“I think it’s a huge call for a game like this.”

Sua’a’li’i’s brain teaser (pictured sending him off) could mean he never plays Origin again as a ban could ruin his chances of returning this series – and he’s heading to rugby next year

The Blues never recovered, with the Maroons taking advantage of the extra man to run riot along their left edge as they cruised to a 38-10 victory in enemy territory.

Walsh will miss Brisbane’s next two matches under the NRL’s mandatory 11-day concussion policy but would be free to return for game two in Melbourne if Billy Slater wants to pick him.

Slater remained tight-lipped when asked about the tackle, with the Blues making it clear in the opening few minutes that they were going after the exciting full-back.

“I’ll keep my feelings about that to myself,” the Maroons coach said.

‘It looks like he’s fine now, but on the pitch he didn’t look so good.

“It looks like it’s doing well in the barns.”

Blues forward Isaah Yeo was the only other player to be charged, with the Panthers captain set to pay 7 percent of his match fee if he entered the early guilty plea for a high tackle on Murray Taulagi.