Queensland cop ‘please explain’ from NRL over possible State of Origin rule breach

Queensland’s handling of a big hit in State of Origin Game 2 has prompted an investigation from the NRL over manipulation of the rules.

The NRL has reportedly asked the Queensland Maroons for a “please explain” for seemingly using a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) to get a free interchange in State of Origin Game 2.

NSW blitzed Queensland in a recordbreaking first half to win 38-18 to level the series 1-1 and force a decider at Suncorp Stadium on July 17.

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Blues enforcer Liam Martin collected Maroons Reuben Cotter late in the 35th minute, lifting and up-ending the Maroons forward in an awkward tackle.

“He ended up in a bad position, Liam Martin involved,” Warren Smith said in commentary on Fox League.

“It was spectacular, it won’t look good in replay for Liam Martin.”

Michael Ennis said: “It looked like a good shot to start with then all of a sudden it just got a little above the horizontal.

“Looked like he was going down then at the last minute then that inside leg gets up into a dangerous position.

Cooper Cronk said Martin was “lucky he didn’t tip (Cotter) too far over otherwise he might be spending time on the sideline”.

Watch Liam Martin’s tackle on Reuben Cotter in the video above

Liam Martin tackles Reuben Cotter in Game 2. Picture: Mark Stewart

Crucially Cotter landed on his shoulder and not his head, but he was taken from the field for a HIA, giving Queensland a free interchange because the incident occurred from foul play.

The SMH reports the NRL is investigating why Cotter came from the ground if he didn’t hit his head.

The implication is the Maroons worked the system to get an extra interchange when Martin was put on report for the tackle.

Cotter had clashed heads with teammate Harry Grant earlier in the game in some friendly fire, but Grant wasn’t taken off for a HIA.

Under the NRL’s current rules, teams are allowed 10 interchanges in a game, which are mostly used to give forwards a rest.

Cotter passed his HIA and returned in the second half. The 25-year-old was cleared to play for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Panthers on Sunday, but he was rested for the NRL clash, as were many Origin stars last weekend.

The NRL has the capacity to fine teams if they believe rules around HIAs have been breached.

Martin was handed a Grade 1 dangerous contact charge for the tackle but avoided suspension, as did Latrell Mitchell for a high shot on Xavier Coates.

It was a big hit. Picture: Mark Stewart

Cotter came off for a HIA. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Maroons flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been cleared of major injury and will be fine to play in Origin Game 3 after hurting his shoulder in Game 2.

Tabuai-Fidow has scored nine tries in his six State of Origin appearances.

The SMH also reports the 22-year-old had an interchange mishap himself, with Queensland’s bench not informing sideline officials when he returned to the field after coming off injured.

NSW’s dominant win in Game 2 has given the Blues hope they can win a series decider in Brisbane for just the third time in Origin history.

Mitchell Moses produced a masterclass at halfback, while Mitchell was rock solid in the centres in his first Origin game in three years.

The Maroons will back themselves to win at home but will need a better performance from fullback Reece Walsh, and coach Billy Slater is under pressure to recall Titans gun David Fifita.

Queensland are aiming to win three series in a row and maintain Slater’s perfect coaching record.

Originally published as Queensland cop ‘please explain’ from NRL over possible State of Origin rule breach