Crash Craddock: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s reckless State of Origin tackle on Reece Walsh was rugby league at its worst

As his profile grows, Reece Walsh faces the prospect of being shamelessly targeted each week, which is why Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s horror tackle was in some ways predictable, writes ROBERT “CRASH” CRADDOCK.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – JUNE 05: Daly Cherry-Evans of the Maroons runs the ball during game one of the 2024 Men's State of Origin Series between New South Wales Blues and Queensland Maroons at Accor Stadium on June 05, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

The annihilation of Reece Walsh was a shock in some ways and utterly predictable in others.

The mood in NSW before the match had a feverish “get Walsh’’ about it with Benny Elias and Mark Carroll labelling Walsh a lair and a series of stories published in the build-up about the Blues plan “to terrorise’’ the flashy fullback.

No problems at all with that. Welcome to Origin. But there has to be limits.

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s reckless tackle on Walsh was rugby league at its worst. As his profile and reputation grows, Walsh faces the prospect of being shamelessly targeted each week.

That’s fine. It happens to the game’s best players. But the game has a duty of care to protect players when they are exposed like Walsh was.

Commentators debate whether the tackle was worth a send-off. Of course it was. Was it deliberate? No. Was it reckless. Absolutely.

He had to go and Suaalii will be lucky to play another State of Origin game in his career given his future in this series is in doubt then he is off to rugby union where they have even tougher rules about protecting the head.

Good luck with that one.

Daly Cherry-Evans is playing as well as ever at age 35. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

MAROONS MUST URGE SKIPPER TO PLAY ON

It sounded like a cheeky throwaway line. Daly Cherry-Evans could play until he was 40.

Andrew Johns said it a few weeks ago and he just might be spot on.

At 35, Cherry-Evans is playing as well as ever. If anyone can get to 40 he can.

The Maroons skipper is reportedly considering quitting Origin football at the end of this series. Queensland must urge him to play on. He is the glue which keeps Queensland on top of the battling blues.

Cherry-Evans confidence is soaring as disclosed when he scored the first try of the game, shrewdly ducking the blind side and slung a daring, delicious inside ball to Ben Hunt for the try.

And when Queensland were under siege early in the second half his calm assurance got them back on track.

Speaking of classy veterans, what a performance by 34-year-old Ben Hunt. The game has at timed driven him to wits end so every big moment, such as his two tries including his late runaway, are stardust moments for him.

Another three Origin tries for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Picture: NRL Photos / Brett Costello

HAMMER TIME

And to think we used to bag the Dolphins for not signing any big name players.

They had one but we just didn’t know it. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is that man.

The Hammer is the coolest of cats whose deep-seated belief belies his relative inexperience.

When Reece Walsh went down in the first Origin game, the Hammer switched to fullback and displayed impeccable timing to be just where he had to be to score two first half tries and another in the second half.

He also took a series of pressurised bombs. He is that rare player who, the bigger the occasion, the better he plays. It must be a great thing to play on instinct and have barely any nerves.

SELWYN STRONG

Billy Slater was right. Selwyn Cobbo is an adaptable, heavy duty footballer

Slater put Cobbo on the bench in the belief the Maroons might need a back in case they lost one early. It was as if he knew the Blues plan to terrorise Walsh could spell problems.

Cobbo played with impressive heart in a heavy duty match. His big body was an important battering ram in a typically grinding, grafting first game of the season.

Originally published as Crash Craddock: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s reckless State of Origin tackle on Reece Walsh was rugby league at its worst