New South Wales centre Joseph Suaalii was sent off in the early stages of State of Origin Game 1 on Wednesday night.
The Maroons took an early 6-0 lead before the incident, which left the Blues with 12 men for the remainder of the match.
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What did Joseph Suaalii do? NSW Blues centre sent off in Origin Game 1
Blues debutant Suaalii hit Queensland fullback Reece Walsh high and late in the seventh minute at Accor Stadium.
Walsh made a pass to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on his left before receiving a brutal shot to his head.
The contact left him on the ground for a few minutes, with the game eventually halted.
Referee Ashley Klein then made the decision to send Suaalii off, citing the direct and dangerous contact to the head.
Queensland went on to take advantage of NSW's depleted right edge, scoring two more tries to make it 20-6 at halftime.
The Blues fought back in the second stanza, but the Maroons were able to add to their margin late, winning 38-10.
Did Reece Walsh return?
Walsh remarkably went on to pass his head injury assessment but did not return to the field on Wednesday night after being initially diagnosed with category 1 concussion symptoms.
The Maroons activated 18th man Felise Kaufusi, switching Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to fullback and bringing Selwyn Cobbo into the backline.
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