Details of the stinging sledge Queensland assistant coach Nate Myles delivered to Joseph Suaalii have been revealed after the New South Wales debutant was sent off for a high tackle on Reece Walsh.
Suaalii knocked Walsh out cold when he tackled him right as he passed the ball to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, with the Queensland fullback ruled out for the remainder of the contest.
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The Blues centre was handed his marching orders by referee Ashley Klein in the eighth minute of Game I in what was the fastest send off in Origin history.
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As Suaalii walked off the field, Myles made sure to fire off a few words in his direction.
According to The Daily Telegraph, Myles repeatedly said to Suaalii: “Enjoy your f***ing debut.”
The Sydney Morning Heraldalso reported a similar sledge: “I hope you enjoyed your debut.”
Myles’ brutal sledge resulted in an NRL sideline official warning the Queensland assistant of his conduct.
However, it is unclear if Myles, who made 32 appearances for the Maroons, will face any further punishment for his sideline antics.
New Blue SENT OFF for hit on Walsh | 00:46
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As for Suaalii, he faces a four-game ban over the tackle on Walsh after being hit with a grade two reckless high tackle charge.
Blues coach Michael Maguire described Suaalii’s sending off as “a big call at this level” while NSW skipper Jake Trbojevic was left stunned at the decision.
“It was a tough one,” Trbojevic said in the post-match press conference.
“I didn’t expect him to get sent off, if I’m being honest, just probably because of the enormity of the game. But that’s the way it went.”