Andrew Johns caught up in explosive Reece Walsh Origin moment

Andrew Johns was caught up in the most controversial moment of Origin I as the rugby league community divided in explosive fashion.

Andrew Johns. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

It was the hit that ruined Origin I and divided the rugby league world - and of course Andrew Johns was in the thick of the debate.

Joseph Sua'ali’i became just the sixth player in State of Origin history to be sent off after a brutal hit on Reece Walsh just seven minutes into Queensland’s 38-10 win in game one.

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Sua'ali’i laid out Walsh with a hit that caught the fullback in the head.

Walsh was left on the ground for several minutes as he was tended to by medical staff.

The fullback was assessed a category one concussion, which automatically ruled him out of the game.

Incredibly, Walsh also passed a head injury assessment, although he was not allowed back into the match.

Referee Ashley 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.”

Sua'ali’i will join Craig Greenhill (1996), Gorden Tallis (2000), Trent Waterhouse (2009), Jarome Luai and Walsh himself (both 2023) on the infamous list of players to have been sent off in Origin.

He has been offered a four-week suspension with an early guilty plea.

But as the commentators were dealing with the news, NSW legend Johns questioned whether it should have been a send off.

“At clubland, yes it is a send-off. But at this level, I’m really surprised they sent Joseph Sua'ali’i off,” Johns said on Channel 9.

At halftime, Queensland legend Paul Vautin was in unlikely agreement with Johns’ take.

“Here is the thing, Sua'ali’i thinks he is going to hit him in the chest,” Vautin said. “Reece Walsh ducks down and all of a sudden he gets hit in the head. It’s reckless and careless but it’s not deliberate.

“Personally, I don’t think it’s a send off. At this level, we always say there’s a bit of leeway in Origin, I believe he should have been left on.

“But in saying that, Queensland have lost a player for the whole game. So the referee has probably gone ‘well, he’s gone, I may as well get rid of this guy’.”

Post-match, the feelings obviously went down state lines.

Blues coach Michael Maguire said: “I think earlier in the year, I think he (Walsh) ended up with a broken jaw (cheekbone after a hit from Penrith’s Taylan May) and there was no send off. It’s a big call at this level. He was falling. I’ll have to have another look at it but I think it’s a massive call for a game like this.”

Jake Trbojevic agreed he didn’t think Sua’ali’i would be sent off because it was an Origin match.

Maroons coach Billy Slater refused to share his opinions on the moment in his press conference but didn’t appear too pleased.

Sua'ali’i was given his immediate marching orders. Photo by Matt King/Getty Images

Walsh was in a bad way. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Commentator Andrew Voss also questioned the decision.

“If bunker told ref there was contact with head, I agree it’s a send off. But am I the only one who’s yet to see any direct contact with head?” Voss tweeted. “Massive whiplash effect but that normally comes from contact high up on sternum & that still causes concussion. Happy to be proven wrong.”

It was a question that was heavily debated online immediately after the hit.

Some fans pointed to Walsh having slipped as he reached Sua'ali’i, arguing it contributed to the ugliness of the hit.

WWOS’ The Mole argued that Walsh “was falling”, adding: “Not a shoulder charge … dangerous tackle … but Walsh was falling. The world we live in now.”

One fan wrote: “Walsh was falling … should have just been on report 10 in the bin. If he doesn’t fall Suaali'i hits him in the chest.”

Another added: “Sin bin yes. Send off no. No intent to hit Walsh in the head.”

A third posted: “I preface this by saying it was a bad tackle (and hope Walsh is ok) and would be a send off in club land … but this isn’t club land. Klein has no read of big games.”

It was about as brutal a hit as it gets. Photo: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

But while some were quick to claim he should have stay on, plenty of reporters shut down the discussion.

The Sun’s Gary Carter hit out at the claims, tweeting: “I’ve seen people claim Walsh was falling. Nonsense. Red card all day long.”

The Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield said: “Sadly that was a fair send off. Will be a high grade too.”

News Corp’s Jon Tuxworth posted: “The ‘in club footy it’s a send off, in origin it’s not’ is simply the dumbest argument I’ve ever heard. Especially in the concussion awareness era.

“Don’t hit people direct in the head. A sin bin when Queensland’s best player is out for the game doesn’t seem like justice either.”

Sports reporter John Davidson commented: “For me, the ref had no choice. Correct call.”

British rugby league reporter Matthew Shaw wrote: “That’s one of the worst tackles I’ve seen in a long time. Doesn’t matter what level, that’s a red card.”

The Mana Rugby account said: “Clear targeting of Reece Walsh and deserved send off. Doesn’t matter that it’s Origin, it’s a dog shot.”

Sports reporter Robert Smith added: “Suaali'i shoulder tackle knocks Walsh into Disneyland … looked a sickener. Clear cut …”