Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii faces monster ban for sickening shot on Reece Walsh

The hits keep coming for the beaten Blues, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii set to be rubbed out for the entire State of Origin series after being charged for his high shot on Reece Walsh.

NSW Blues v QLD Maroons Game 1 State of Origin match at Accor Stadium, Sydney. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i Reece Walsh, send off Photo: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

NSW debutant Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii faces up to five matches on the sideline after being charged for the sickening hit on Queensland star Reece Walsh.

The Blues centre was sent from the field at Accor Stadium in the eighth minute of State of Origin game one after hitting Walsh late and high in the Blues’ 38-10 loss.

He has been hit with a grade two reckless high tackle charge, which carries a four-game suspension with an early guilty plea or five matches if he challenges his ban and loses at the NRL judiciary.

It means Suaalii will definitely miss Origin II on June 26 in Melbourne, and will not play before the series decider on July 17.

Given the Sydney Roosters have two upcoming byes he may not return until their Round 20 clash with the Storm in Melbourne on July 20.

In sending Suaalii off, referee Ashley Klein said: “I don’t want you to say a word. Very dangerous action, direct contact to the head with the shoulder, you’re off.”

Walsh was forced from the field to undergo a HIA and was subsequently ruled out.

As a result, 18th man Felise Kaufusi has been activated by Queensland.

It’s the second year in a row there has been a send-off in a State or Origin match, with Reece Walsh and Jarome Luai sent from the field in 2023.