State of Origin 2024: Peter V’landys slams Suaalii send-off critics, vows to protect Reece Walsh

Peter V’landys has slammed ‘ridiculous’ calls for State of Origin leniency, applauding the decision to send off Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and calling on referees to continue punishing high shots.

Peter V’landys has slammed ‘ridiculous’ calls for State of Origin leniency, applauding the decision to send off Joseph Suaalii and calling on referees to continue punishing high shots severely.

ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys has labelled calls for State of Origin leniency as “ridiculous” as he vowed to protect Broncos fullback Reece Walsh and NRL stars from being bashed out of the game.

The official who ramped-up the code’s crackdown on high shots three years ago, V’landys backed the send-off of NSW debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for his high tackle on Maroons ace Walsh in Origin I.

There is a view Suaalii should not have been given his marching orders because it ruined Origin as a spectacle and essentially handed victory to a Maroons side playing against a 12-man Blues outfit.

But V’landys applauded Origin referee Ashley Klein for dismissing Suaalii and urged NRL officials to maintain the rage on high shots, saying the welfare of all players, Walsh included, is essential.

“What do people expect - a free-for-all in State of Origin? No, it’s not going to be,” V’landys said.

ARL Chariman Peter V'landys has slammed called for State of Origin leniency. Picture: Getty Images

“We’re not going to have players like Reece Walsh taken out just because they are brilliant - we won’t tolerate that.

“All players should be protected, including Reece Walsh.

“Nobody should be targeted with illegal play and by all means we will do everything possible to protect Reece Walsh.

“Hits should stay within the rules, and if they are outside the rules, they will be penalised severely.

“The referee was 100 out of 100 in how he treated that incident.

“We aren’t changing anything.

“We are maintaining our stance on high shots and the ref’s stance was perfect ... I applaud Ashley Klein for what he did.”

V’landys has applauded the decision to send off Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i for his high tackle on Reece Walsh in Origin I. Picture: NRL Photos

There has been a push for Origin teams to be allowed to replace a sent-off player with an emergency 18th man to ensure NSW and Queensland battle it out with 13 men apiece on the field.

NSW legend and NRL Immortal Andrew Johns questioned whether Suaalii should have been sent off, while others have called for suspensions incurred in the Origin arena not to be counted at club level.

But V’landys scuppered any plans for replacement players or separate suspensions in the Origin arena.

“This is the ridiculous situation that some people are looking for,” he said.

“This idea of replacing players sent off in Origin is nonsense.

“It just opens it up for players to be taken out ... you could take the best player out of the other team and you’re not affected.

“I don’t understand why a serious breach of the rules should be interpreted differently between an Origin and club game.

V’landys has vowed to protect players like Walsh. Picture: Getty Images

“As Gorden Tallis (Queensland legend) pointed out, a player can suffer the same brain injury in a club game or Origin game, so do we allow potential brain injuries in State of Origin games?

“If it’s a serious breach of the rules, the referee should act accordingly and he (Klein) did.

“I compliment him for showing the courage to consider player welfare.

“People who say it’s a contact sport, yes it is, but the contact must be within the rules.

“The Liam Martin tackle (on Maroons debutant J’maine Hopgood in Origin I) was as good as anything you will ever see, that was hard, tough and within the rules.

“If anyone says we’re making this sport tag and touch, have a look at the Liam Martin tackle. I wouldn’t want to be playing tag against him.

“There will not be separate suspensions on a serious hit like that (the Suaalii incident).

“We’re not going easy in Origin.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Peter V’landys slams Suaalii send-off critics, vows to protect Reece Walsh