State of Origin 2020: Jai Arrow slammed for James Tedesco hit

Brad Fittler says Jai Arrow deserved a harsher sanction than the $550 fine he was slapped with for ragdolling a concussed James Tedesco.

NSW coach Brad Fittler has doubled down on his criticism of Jai Arrow, labelling the Maroons forward’s ragdolling off a concussed James Tedesco “ugly”.

After a war of words erupted between Fittler and Maroons coach Wayne Bennett — and Arrow declared “I am not a grub” — the Queensland forward was on Thursday hit with a grade-one contrary conduct by the NRL match review committee, which amounts to a fine of $550-$750.

But Fittler was adamant that a harsher sanction was required.

“It looked ugly,” Fittler said.

“I didn’t actually see it until last night (after the game). Jai has to live with what he did. It wasn’t cool, it was over the top and I don’t think the league handled it that well.

“I don’t think a $550 fine is an appropriate thing — I don’t know what the appropriate thing is, I just think something more could have been done. 

“That’s someone else’s job (to decide the punishment). But it was the first thing two people talked to me about this morning, so it obviously had an impact on the viewers. 

“I don’t want to pick a fight with the super coach. It is what it is, that’s my opinion, Wayne has his.

“You can see the reality of players getting knocked out and some players getting knocked out over and over — I’m incredibly conscious and aware of what’s going on.”

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Jai Arrow and James Tedesco

On Wednesday night, Bennett and Fittler clashed over Blues fullback James Tedesco’s sickening State of Origin knockout as Queensland forward Jai Arrow declared: “I am not a grub”.

Arrow came under fire for ragdolling a concussed Tedesco in Queensland’s 20-14 win against NSW in Wednesday night’s State of Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Tedesco was left concussed after his head collided with Maroons prop Josh Papalii’s knee in the 20th minute. The NSW No. 1 took no further part in the game.

While the contact was accidental, Arrow picked up a dazed Tedesco and dropped him to the ground, drawing criticism from NSW great Andrew Johns and fans.

Arrow called for medical assistance after he realised Tedesco was not in a healthy state and later told media he wanted to explain the incident.

“I wanted to come out and say at first I was fired up, but I honestly am not a grub like that,” Arrow said.

“I didn’t know he was knocked out. If you watch the full footage, you’ll see me go back and put my hand up.

“I was checking his welfare. I realised he was knocked out when I slammed him back on the ground, which I am very apologetic about.

“I’m not a grubby player. People will have comments and say stuff about it but I know in my heart I’m not a grubby player.

“I spoke to (Tedesco) after the game and told him ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t realise you were knocked out until a couple of seconds after’.

“I know what I do as a player. I’m not out there to try and hurt someone intentionally.

“I just came on to the field and went to tackle him. I saw he dropped the ball and went to be fiery and picked him up and realised he wasn’t with it.

“I put my hand up because he wasn’t right. He was in a bad way. I’m very apologetic about that.”

Jai Arrow celebrates Origin series victory.

Blues coach Fittler claimed after the game that Arrow showed a lack of respect.

“It was a lot of lack of respect,” Fittler said.

“I’m sure he will learn from that.

“I didn’t think there was anything sinister in (the Papalii tackle).”

Maroons coach Bennett fired back at Fittler and was adamant Arrow’s actions were not intentional.

“Brad is kidding himself, there was no lack of respect, watch it again,” he said.

“That was an instinct. That happened so quick. He didn’t realise that Papalii had hit him with his knee.

“As soon as he realised what he did he stayed there. He never moved, he didn’t run away and do a high-five.

“It happens so quickly out there. He never even saw what happened.”

James Tedesco concussed.

Arrow was not penalised by referees but the incident is likely to be scrutinised by the NRL’s match review committee on Thursday.

Tedesco was motionless on the turf until he was cared for by Blues medical staff midway through the opening half. He needed assistance coming from the field.

Nasty 😬#NRL #Origin pic.twitter.com/aLY54d3APU

— Roast (@thenrlroast) November 18, 2020

Immortal Andrew Johns blasted Arrow.

“No need for that carry on from Jai Arrow,” Johns said on Channel 9. “That’s not needed the extra (shove). The game is hard enough as it is without that rubbish coming into play.”

After realising how severely concussed Tedesco was, Arrow expressed concern and immediately called for assistance. A host of Maroons players also surrounded the NSW captain showing fears for his safety as play stopped with Queensland just metres from the Blues’ try-line.

Jai Arrow, what a grub

— Keith Galloway (@kgalloway85) November 18, 2020

Blues hooker Damien Cook, who will play alongside Arrow next year at Souths, said Maroons and Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett would be unimpressed.

“I know Wayne for a fact if it’s what (people have been) been saying he won’t be happy,” Cook said. “It’s a duty of care for the players. We’ll fix that.”

Tedescor was helped after the field after suffering a nasty head knock. Picture: Getty Images.

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Tedesco was ruled out for the rest of the game because of concussion. Clint Gutherson was pushed to fullback from centre and young half Nathan Cleary given the captaincy.

The Blues would have regretted not picking Ryan Papenhuyzen on the interchange bench after toying with the idea but instead relegated the Storm dynamo to 18th man. Utility Isaah Yeo was moved into the centres.

The Blues lost Tedesco’s NSW teammate Boyd Cordner for the rest of the series after a game one head knock and there are now serious fears for Cordner’s playing future.

That was a revolting move from Jai Arrow. #Origin

— Jessica Halloran (@JessiHalloran) November 18, 2020

The incident prompted a range of online vitriol from fans and players alike. Ex-Blues prop Keith Galloway called Arrow a “grub” on Twitter while Cronulla halfback Chad Townsend tweeted “Jai Arrow surely a target on him now.”

Arrow’s actions were similar to that of former Blues prop Justin Poore who leant over a clearly concussed Steve Price before dropping the player back onto the ground at the same venue in 2009. That incident sparked wild scenes.

Jai Arrow that is absolutely foul. #Origin

— Pam Whaley (@PamelaWhaley) November 18, 2020

Arrow will now face a potential charge from the NRL judiciary on Thursday morning.

He could be hit with a contrary conduct charge which carries a $1500 fine for a grade one offence or two or three games for a grade two or three charge respectively.

Any suspension will delay his debut for his new club next year.

Yo Jai Arrow what’s GOOD. 👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼👎🏼 #Origin pic.twitter.com/xhzrxBnMYE

— Eliza Barr (@ElizaJBarr) November 18, 2020

Blues halfback Nathan Cleary said Tedesco was okay after suffering his head knock.

“He’s a bit dusty,” Cleary said.

“He can’t really remember what happened. It’s always hard to lose your captain, especially a player like Teddy.

“We’ll all get around him and look after him and hopefully he’s going to be alright.”

JT and @camsmith9 are PUMPED UP!

Watch the post-match LIVE on Channel 9. #9WWOS #Origin pic.twitter.com/RCcz2p0mqj

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) November 18, 2020

Cleary said he raised the Jai Arrow incident with the on-field referee and believed it should have been looked at.

“I brought it up to the ref afterwards,” Cleary said.

“I said this isn’t really on especially when the guy is lying knocked out cold on the ground.

“I’m not the ref but I thought they could have had a look at it.”