State of Origin Game 1: NSW hammered in seven-minute ‘nightmare’ after Walsh KO

NSW have copped a hammering in the State of Origin opener after an ugly hit on Reece Walsh crushed any hope they had of an upset.

Suaali'i has been sent off eight minutes into the match. Photo: Channel 9

Michael Maguire’s first match in charge of NSW went from a baptism of fire to a total nightmare in just seven minutes.

Queensland defeated NSW 38-10 in Game 1 on Wednesday night, but the contest was effectively over when Joseph Suaali’i knocked out Reece Walsh with an ugly hit in the early stages.

The Blues came out with a clear plan to physically target the Queensland fullback, but it backfired badly when Suaali’i was sent off just seven minutes into his Origin debut.

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NSW were left to fight on with just 12 men on the field and while they fought on bravely, they leaked tries at regular intervals.

Walsh returned to the bench and was in good spirits, but there’s no denying Suaali’i’s poorly executed tackle sapped the energy out of the game and cruelled any hope of a NSW win.

The Blues are now seriously up against it, with the series heading to Melbourne for Game 2 and Game 3 in Brisbane, meaning they effectively need to win two away games.

Walsh will miss his next two games for the Broncos, but is expected to be fine to play at the MCG in three weeks.

It was all Queensland after the Walsh hit. Photo: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

DCE was brilliant. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Player of the match Daly Cherry-Evans put on a clinic at 35 years of age, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored a hat-trick, giving him eight tries in just five Origin appearances.

The Maroons led 20-6 at halftime and although NSW briefly threatened to make a comeback, runaway tries to Ben Hunt and Xavier Coates shut the door.

Liam Martin and Zac Lomax were among NSW’s best, while a somewhat rudderless attacking effort on last tackles will spark predictable calls for Mitchell Moses to return for Game 2.

“Probably their worst nightmare,” Phil Gould said.

“It was hard enough taking them on with 13 men, let alone 12.“They’ve got a lot to work on if they want to get back into the series down in Melbourne.”

“It was a tough night, not too much went to plan,” new NSW captain Jake Trbojevic said.

“There’s a period there where we showed lots of fight. After halftime we were probably on top there for 20 minutes.

“There’s a few more games still to come. Disappointing night, disappointing to lose at home.”

Queensland have won the last two series and are looking for a series hat-trick to keep coach Billy Slater’s perfect record as Maroons coach intact. NSW haven’t won an Origin series since 2021.

Joseph Suaali’i clobbers Reece Walsh. Picture NRL Photos

Walsh with his daughter after the big hit. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

9.49pm - DCE brilliance seals the deal

Daly Cherry-Evans has had himself a game, producing a 40/20 early in the second half and a brilliant intercept — coming off his defensive line before kicking ahead for Xavier Cotes to score. 32-10, Queensland.

9.44pm - Hunt puts nail in the coffin, Qld lead 26-10

Game over. After NSW’s attack once again stuttered on the last tackle, Ben Hunt made a break down the right hand side broke several tackles to score a brilliant match sealing try.

Liam Martin tried to fire up the Blues with some brutal hits, but the Hunt try snuffed out any hope of a miracle comeback following a few nervous moments for Queensland in defence.

9.18pm - Lomax soars for try

There’s a glimmer of hope for NSW after Zac Lomax soared to catch a Nicho Hynes kick and score in the right corner.

The try came out of nowhere, with NSW’s attack breaking down. Queensland lead 20-10 after Hynes missed the conversion.

Moments later, Liam Martin crunched Xavier Coates with a superb kick chase to give the crowd something to cheer about.

Spencer Leniu is showing Category 2 concussion symptoms and has come off for a HIA.

Zac Lomax scores in the corner. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

8.59pm - Maroons cruising at halftime

Queensland lead 20-6 at halftime and should cruise to victory with an extra man on the field.

“People are shocked in the stadium,” Cameron Smith said.

“They’re shocked, not just by the score, but by what happened early with the send-off.”

Phil Gould said: “The sendoff is unfortunate but I thought New South Wales reacted poorly to it.”

Spencer Leniu appeared to hurt his knee in an awkward tackle but was able to play out the opening 40 minutes.

8.38pm - Hammer scores again

Queensland lead 20-6 after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored a second try as the Maroons tore down the left hand side of the field at Accor Stadium.

The ‘Hammer’ now has seven tries from just five State of Origin games.

“An absolute nightmare for NSW at home as Queensland continue to rattle up points,” Mat Thompson said.

8.33pm - Queensland lead 14-6

James Tedesco snuck over to score under the posts soon after Suaali’i’s send off, putting the Blues on the board.

But Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored just moments later, giving the Maroons flyer yet another Origin try.

It could be a long night for NSW and a tough ask not to leak tries with one less player on the field.

8.18pm - Suaali’i sent off for Walsh hit

Joseph Suaali’i has been sent off less than 10 minutes into the game for a brutal hit on Reece Walsh.

The Blues came out with a clear plan to physically target the Queensland fullback, but it backfired badly.

Liam Martin tackled Walsh hard twice in the opening minutes, and Sua’ali’i followed suit soon after — but his shoulder collected Walsh’s head and sent his neck rippling backwards.

Suaali'i has become just the sixth player to be sent off in Origin history. Photo: Channel 9

Referee Ashley Klein had no hesitation in giving the Blues debutant his marching orders.

Klein said: “I don’t want you to say a word. Very dangerous action, it’s direct contact to the head with the shoulder - you’re off. Direct contact with the head.”

Walsh lay on the turf for several moments before getting to his feet and leaving the field.

He failed his HIA, showing Category 1 signs of concussion, meaning the Maroons could activate their 18th man Felise Kaufusi.

Selwyn Cobbo came on in the backline, seemingly justifying his selection on the bench.

The Blues will have to play nearly the entire game a player down with only 12 men on the field.

“What a sensation,” commentator Mat Thompson said.

Cameron Smith said: “Wow! Wow! That’s massive for NSW. Huge for NSW. But NSW will play the remainder of this match with 12 men.”

But Andrew Johns wasn’t convinced it was worth a send off at State of Origin level.

“At clubland, yes it is a send-off. But at this level, I’m really surprised they sent Joseph Suaali’i off,” Johns said.

Asked for his reaction to the hit on Walsh, a filthy Billy Slater told Nine from the coaches box: “Probably don’t want to know that.”

It was a straight send off. Photo: Channel 9

8.10pm - Qld score first

Here we go. Queensland lead 6-0 after scoring with their first real chance.

Nicho Hynes’ last tackle kick went dead, easing the pressure following a strong start for NSW and allowing Queensland to advance up the field.

Daly Cherry-Evans caught the Blues napping out of dummy half and found Ben Hunt for an easy try.

“He’s a marvel,” Cameron Smith said of DCE.

7.45pm - Weather watch, Maroons ‘vulnerable’

The rain forecast for Sydney on Wednesday night is yet to appear in Homebush.

There is a bit of rain around Sydney so we are expecting it at some point tonight at Accor Stadium.

Fox League’s Jake Duke said on NRL Tonight: “It is a dewy field. It’s usually a tighter affair, Game 1. Queensland have got a very fast, very energetic side. They will look to go around the Blues with guys like Reece Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

“The Blues have picked a monster side that you’d think would do better in wet conditions.”

NSW great Greg Alexander is tipping Blues prop Payne Haas to have a breakout game and take advantage of Queensland’s forwards Tom Flegler and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui missing through injury.

“I think without Tino and Fleger, Queensland might be a little bit vulnerable just because of how good those two have been,” Alexander told NRL Tonight.

“Without those two players, I just think Payne is ready for a big game.”

NSW premier Chris Minns has had a cheeky dig at Queensland, sharing a photo of a Maroons jersey in a bin.

Well played Chris Minns. Photo: Twitter and News Corp

7.10pm - Teams locked in

The teams are in, and Billy Slater hasn’t done any funny business yet — sticking with Selywn Cobbo on the bench.

“We’ve got a bit of a plan around Selwyn,” Slater told Nine.

“But Selwyn can play many positions, so he covers a lot. He’ll be out there at some stage.”

The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes he could be cover for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Murray Taulagi and Xavier Coates.

“There is a small concern within that Queensland camp that several of their outside backs have had limited game time this season due to injuries, they’ve missed matches,” Riccio said on NRL 360.

“There is a fear that such is the speed and ferocity of State of Origin, that one of those three could be starting to feel the pinch in the back end of the match.

“That’s how Selwyn would get into the match.”

NSW Blues: 1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To’o 3. Stephen Crichton 4. Joseph Suaali’I 5. Zac Lomax 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Jake Trbojevic (c) 9. Reece Robson 10. Payne Haas 11. Liam Martin 12. Angus Crichton 13. Cameron McInnes 14. Isaah Yeo 15. Haumole Olaukau’atu 16. Spencer Leniu 17 Hudson Young

Qld Maroons: 1. Reece Walsh 2. Xavier Coates 3. Valentine Holmes 4. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 5. Murray Taulagi 6. Tom Dearden 7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c) 8. Reuben Cotter 9. Ben Hunt 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Jaydn Su’a 12. Jeremiah Nanai 13. Patrick Carrigan 14. Harry Grant 15. Moeaki Fotuaika 16. J’Maine Hopgood 17. Selwyn Cobbo 18. Felise Kaufusi

Selwyn Cobbo’s role off the bench is unclear. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Channel 9 host Danika Mason appeared to have a little dig ready for Brad Fittler, whose six-year stint as NSW coach ended last year.

“For the first time in six years you’re out of the coach’s box,” Mason said as the panel all broke up into laughter.

“I miss it already,” Fittler replied.

6.15pm - Blues greats want NSW to target Walsh

NSW greats Benny Elias and Mark ‘Spud’ Carroll have urged the Blues to target Queensland fullback Reece Walsh.

Carroll told the Daily Telegraph: “As an old dinosaur, seeing someone so beautiful as Walsh, with his flowing hair and painted fingernails, I’d love to get my hands on him.

“His beautiful blue eyes would be spinning.”

Elias said: “It’s been a long time since we have hated a Queenslander, so why not this bloke, who is a lair? There’s no better target than a bloke named Reece Walsh.

“We will physically obliterate this bloke from the first minute. Walsh is a superstar, no doubt, and he is loved by all those people north of the border.

“But the bombs will be high and when your eyes and hands are waiting for the ball, you’re exposed. He will know about it.

“Walsh will be absolutely terrorised and it will be more physical than a couple of punches. He is a pretty boy and he’s good for our game but we need to hate someone.”

The Blues have been urged to target Reece Walsh. Photo: Scott Davis/NRL Imagery.

Reece Walsh with his decorated finger nails.

5.05m - Queenslanders exposed as frauds

The age old belief that Queensland steals half their team from outside the Sunshine State is actually grounded in fact this year.

The Daily Telegraph reports eight members of Queensland’s 20-man squad — or 40 per cent — were born outside of Queensland.

Winger Xavier Coates was born in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Murray Taulagi grew up in South Auckland, Jaydn Su’A was born Christchurch, Ezra Mam was born in Newcastle, Jeremiah Nanai is from Henderson in Auckland, Moeaki Fotuaika is from Gisborne on New Zealand’s north island, 19th man Brendan Piakura was born near Newcastle and Felise Kaufusi was born in Auckland.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie wrote: “What a bunch of sanctimonious frauds.

“C’mon Madge, tear into these imposters – for the good of mankind.”

State of Origin eligibility rules stipulate a player must have been born in NSW or Queensland, or have moved there prior to turning 13 to represent their selected state.

Under the current rules, a player can’t play for New South Wales or Queensland if they play for a tier one nation other than Australia.

4.15pm - Commentary icon shuts down rumour

Ray Warren is happily retired and wants everyone to know he will not be making a comeback to the commentary box.

The Channel 9 icon, who became known as the Voice of Rugby League, hung up his microphone after the 2021 NRL season.

He called 99 State of Origin games throughout his career, but the man known as “Rabs” has shut down rumours of a comeback so he can bring up the century.

The 80-year-old told Gold Coast’s 92.5 Triple M Gold with Flan, Ali & Spida: “It’s absolute scuttlebutt!”

“I never ever said that I would agree to do another game of Origin, and somebody took the liberty via social media absolutely misquoting me and it’s made things a bit uncomfortable for me.

“I get very aggravated by people that write absolute crap.”

Rabs isn’t making an Origin comeback. (Photo by James Gourley/Getty Images)

Asked if he would make a comeback, Warren said: “No, I’d rule that out almost without any thought at all.

“I had a great career, 55 years. At the end of 2021, I decided that that would do me.

“Why would I take that risk of undoing whatever good I might have done?

“I got out while I was going reasonably well.”

Mathew Thompson took over as Nine’s chief NRL caller from the 2022 season.

4pm - Blues cancel game day tradition

The Blues have battened down the hatches, making the decision to cancel their game day media commitments.

Michael Maguire and Billy Slater spoke to reporters on Tuesday, but the Blues cancelled their only media opportunity on Wednesday where an assistant coach usually speaks.

Rugby league reporter Danny Weidler wrote on X: “Blues have their game faces on early - they’ve cancelled their only media opportunity. Their assistant coach will not be speaking to media on game day. Michael Maguire is getting serious.”

Madge is getting serious. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Maroons assistant Josh Hannay fronted up to the media on Tuesday, declaring his players will “die for the jersey and die for the state” when they run out for the Origin opener.

“I know they’re strong words, but that’s literally how our guys feel about representing the people of Queensland,” Hannay said.

“Our connection to the state is our superpower. We play for our people and we’ll play for our people again tonight.”

3.30pm - Legend fires up over battle of the benches

If Origin games aren’t decided by the halves or the forward packs, the battle of the benches usually plays a major part too.

There has been much interest in the contrasting approaches to the interchange.

Queensland have named hooker Harry Grant and winger/centre Selwyn Cobbo, as well as forwards J’maine Hopgood and Moeaki Fotuaika.

The Blues named four forwards on the bench — Isaah Yeo, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young and Haumole Olakau’atu.

Maguire said on Tuesday 18th man Matt Burton will not come into the side, while Slater said he would wait until the last minute to name his final team.

Paul Vautin criticised the decision to name Cobbo on the bench, but fellow Queensland great Corey Parker bristled at suggestions the Broncos back might not get on the park.

Selwyn Cobbo at Queensland’s captain’s run. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

“I do not have one concern whatsoever with Selwyn Cobbo starting the game off the bench,” Parker said on SEN.

“There’s been some pretty high-profile people questioning (Cobbo’s selection) … but from my personal opinion it doesn’t worry me whatsoever.

“It provides cover in the backline, if we did have an injury, well there’s no drama there … let’s just assume everything goes well and some people have suggested well maybe Selwyn Cobbo doesn’t even get on, that is rubbish.

“You can’t play an Origin match with only 16 players, Cobbo will 100 per cent get on.”

Meanwhile, Raiders forward Hudson Young has put his hand up to play a utility role for NSW off the bench.

“It’s like every team – you can’t pick for every position,” Young said.

“It’s something I’ve done in Canberra and something I could do every week.

“It’s nothing new to me to have to shift a few positions. We prepare for that at clubland a fair bit.

“With the game (the way it is now) there is always someone getting 10 in the bin or HIAs. We don’t carry a back in Canberra.

“(Maguire) has spoken to me about a few options. Fingers crossed we don’t lose anyone.”