State of Origin: Joseph Suaalii apologises to NSW teammates over Reece Walsh hit that got him sent off

Joseph Suaalii has apologised to his Blues “brothers” after he was sent off just seven minutes into the State of Origin opener for a sickening hit on Maroons star Reece Walsh.

His apology came as Queensland team manager Nate Myles - who gave Suaalii an expletive laden spray as he left the field, telling the NSW man to “enjoy your debut” - said the Blues muffed their tactical ploy to nullify Walsh.

Walsh was hit hard on the ground by forward Liam Martin just minutes before the Suaalii incident.

Suaalii is facing four weeks on the sidelines with an early guilty plea after the forceful shot to Walsh’s head in the eighth minute of the Maroons’ 38-10 win in Sydney last night.

“Obviously a bit disappointed. Let my fam, my state and especially my teammates down. I feel like that’s the toughest thing about it, but yeah I’ve just got to move on from here,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“I didn’t mean it at all. I just went in there to go tackle him and I accidentally clipped his head.

“I hope he’s doing all right. I hope his family is doing well. I didn’t mean to hit him in the head.

“I haven’t reached out yet, but it’s something that I’ll do.”

The 20-year-old, who was controversially selected as one of six debutants despite defecting to rugby union next year, said the NSW team had been supportive in the aftermath of the now infamous Origin moment.

“Yeah 100%. Every single person in the team, the staff, we’ve created a brotherhood. It definitely showed yesterday and today,” he said on Thursday.

Earlier the Roosters centre posted an apology online.

“Mixed emotions. Disappointed let my brothers, fam n state down. Blessed and honoured to put the blue jersey on,” he posted.

“Onto the next.”

Meanwhile Reece Walsh who won’t play against Cronulla on Saturday appeared to hold no grudge against Suaalii.

“He got me flush on the chin hey. It’s all part of the game. It was a good hit. You have to kelp rolling with the punches. At the end of the day it is what it is,” the 21-year-old said on TV interview on Thursday.

“At the end of the day you make a decision and you have to live with it. That’s footy.”

Myles said the tactic of targeting Walsh backfired on the Blues.

“(Suaalii) got it wrong and ... it’s not a good look for the game,” Myles said.

“Controlled aggression is key now. Controlled aggression isn’t hitting the right spot every time, it’s what you do on every play.

“A good side sticks to their tactics and doesn’t get it wrong.

“That play on Reece out the back, they didn’t get it right.”

Myles said he wasn’t suggesting Walsh needed to be wrapped in cotton wool.

“No one needs protecting, it’s rugby league, but there’s rules in place,” he said.

“We want the game to prosper. It’s going terrific, but we have to look after players and keep them on the field.

“When (Walsh) came back to the bench, I knew he was OK, but there’s a safety protocol and there’s a reason why guys don’t play back-to-back games anymore.

“It would have been good to see a young man like Reece go at the game.”

Queensland assistant coach Johnathan Thurston said Suaalii had to be sent off for the hit.

“Everyone has seen it and it was unfortunate for Suaalii making his debut,” the Maroons great said.

“It was direct, forceful contact to the head and they clearly had a target on (Walsh) … the officials had no other option.”

Maroons flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow switched from centre to fullback when Walsh went off and had a blinder, scoring three tries.

The ‘Hammer’ was stunned by the Suaalii hit and said the Blues centre got what he deserved.

“It is a bad one, straight to the head,” Tabuai-Fidow said.

“It is something we are trying to get out of the game to protect the players. He’s alright now.

“I wasn’t surprised at all. I watched it back on the big screen and it was straight to the head. We all knew he was going to get sent off.”