State of Origin: Kevin Walters lashes out at Joseph Suaalii’s suspension for hitting Reece Walsh

Kevin Walters aimed at the NRL because they were not hard enough Joseph Suaalii He argued that he deserved a much harsher ban than just four games for Reece Walsh is knocked unconscious during State of Origin I. The Roosters centre had a horror debut that lasted just seven minutes when he was sent off for a high shot on Walsh after the Queensland fullback had passed the ball.

During the tackle, Walsh’s head snapped back violently and hit the ground with a bang as he fell, appearing to lose consciousness for a short time. He was immediately taken off the game with a Category 1 concussion and Suaalii was sent off as a result.

After the game, the Roosters centre said, Leaving the NRL for Rugby Union at the end of the season -Was with a four-match ban. The ban means he is unlikely to wear a Blues jersey again this year as he is suspended for Game II and will not play another game before the NSW team is selected for Game III. Walsh is likely to be fit for Game II but will not play for the Broncos until Round 17 at the earliest. This is because the Category 1 rule automatically triggers an 11-day suspension period during which a concussed player is not allowed to play.

Walters says Walsh is also unlikely to play the Round 17 match against New Zealand, given that Origin II only had a short break the previous Wednesday. And the Broncos coach is furious that Walsh is therefore likely to play just one game for his club before Suaalii serves his suspension.

“The NRL needs to protect him, they need to protect him and be stricter with the suspensions,” he said. “Four weeks for what he actually did, Reece will be out for four weeks. (A four-week suspension) is not going to stop any other player from coming out the next time Reece plays and trying to take his head off again.”

Kevin Walters says Reece Walsh is the target of opposing teams

Walters also noted that the Broncos lost Walsh for the second time this season because an opponent flew out of the defensive line to hit him. Penrith centre Taylan May escaped a suspension for a head collision that left the 21-year-old with a facial fracture in round three. That meant Walsh was sidelined for a couple of weeks and had to return wearing head protection.

According to Origin I, Queensland assistant coaches Johnathan Thurston and Nate Myles took aim at NSW and accused the Blues of deliberately targeting Walsh. The Maroons defender only touched the ball twice and was hit late on both occasions.

“Everyone saw it and it was unfortunate for Suaalii, who was making his debut,” Thurston said. “It was direct, heavy contact to the head and they clearly had a target on (Walsh) … the officials had no choice.”

Walters declined to comment directly on the allegations, but said the evidence was pretty clear. “This is the second time and the first time he didn’t even get put in the penalty box or suspended, nothing,” Walters said. “It’s not right for me to try to figure out what their plan was, but I saw what they did and that was the first block of the game. Make up your own mind.”

Walters was at least glad Suaalii was sent off for his hit. “It was handled well on Wednesday night but I think they could have been a little tougher with the suspension,” he said. “We want our great players to play and it’s not about toughness because Reece is as tough as any player in the game. But four weeks for messing up a guy the way he did, that’s not enough.”

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The Broncos will likely Substitute full-back Tristan Sailor for this weekend’s game as he looks to return to play following an ankle sprain that required surgery last month. Sailor was expected to be out between four and six weeks but is back in first-team action less than a month after his injury in the Queensland Cup. “He’s been here seven days a week for the last three weeks and he’s got everything back on track,” Walters said.

with AAP