Reece Walsh remains sidelined this week after copping a brutal high tackle from Joseph Suaalii in the State of Origin opener.
The fullback was left dazed after the New South Wales debutant hit him with Walsh sidelined for the rest of the clash and the Sydney Roosters star subsequently banned for four matches.
The Queensland fullback was classified as having suffered category one symptoms, which automatically ruled him out of the rest of the opening match.
However, confusion has since stemmed from the fact Walsh passed his HIA on the night.
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Why isn't Reece Walsh playing? The NRL's HIA process, explained
"There was some confusion created by reports that Reece, after he left the field, had passed his HIA," NRL GM Graham Annesley said.
"And that led some people to believe that he wasn't concussed and therefore would not be subject to the normal concussion provisions of standing down."
However, Walsh was ruled out of Brisbane’s Round 14 loss to Cronulla just three days after Game I, while he has also been ruled out for this week’s clash against South Sydney.
"I just want to make it absolutely clear that Reece was actually unconscious, momentarily, and so that is a concussion," Annesley added. "There are no ifs or buts about it."
Friday’s clash against the Rabbitohs arrives two days too soon for Walsh to be cleared from the mandatory 11-day stand down period after suffering a concussion.
Walsh will enter out of this protocol period on Sunday, June 16 and will subsequently be eligible to play for the Maroons in Game II, if Billy Slater picks him, as expected.
How do doctors in the NRL identify concussions?
Within the Bunker, independent doctors review the footage of a game to look for indicators to determine whether a player can be classified as showcasing category one or two symptoms.
The star No.1 was deemed a category one case, so was ruled out of the remainder of Origin I, regardless of passing a concussion test in the sheds.
A player can only return to the field during a game if they are deemed a category two case and then pass a HIA test.
A test is conducted in the sheds regardless of whether a player has been deemed a category one or two to set up the correct rehabilitation process for the player who has suffered a head injury.
"When a player responds in that way, with that type of incident, then there is no question it is a concussion," Annesley said after Walsh was pictured lying motionless on the turf after Suaallii’s hit.
"So, passing the test is irrelevant in terms of what happens to the player.
"In some cases, after it's been a category one determination, they will still go through the process of doing the test and some players recover quite quickly in terms of their immediate recovery.
"But a concussion can't be undone by the way of passing a test."
How do NRL players return after suffering a concussion?
"The Graduated Return-To-Sport Strategy (RTS) is referred to commonly around the world for any sporting person who has suffered a concussion," Annesley explained last year.
The guidelines, which NRL clubs are strongly recommended to follow, set out a set plan for every player to abide by while working their way back to full fitness after a concussion.
"There are six stages in the RTS...depending on the case, each of these stages should take 24-48 hours to progress through," he continued.
"Under our rules, the player would be eligible to play on the 11th day."
MORE: How can players seek exemptions from the 11-day stand down rule?
Graduated return-to-sport strategy
| Stage | Aim | Activity |
| 1 | Symptom-limited activity | Daily activities which do not provoke concussion symptoms. |
| 2 | Light aerobic exercise | Walking or stationary cycling at a slow or medium pace. No resistance training. |
| 3 | Sport-specific exercise | Running drills. No activities which will have impact on the head. |
| 4 | Non-contact training drills | More intense training drills and can also start progressive resistance training. |
| 5 | Full contact practice | Following medical clearance, participate in normal training activities. |
| 6 | Return to sport | Engage in normal game play. |
Will Reece Walsh play in Origin II for Queensland Maroons?
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters moved to allay any fears around Walsh's inclusion in Game II as he prepares to miss his second straight Broncos game.
"Reece is good," Walters declared on the eve of his side's clash against Souths.
"He is doing all the protocols with the HIAs and he will be fine to go for Origin. Unfortunately, he is no good for us against Souths.
"He was medically ruled out. He was unavailable to play and I'm very comfortable with that. We care about our players at the Broncos, and we want to do the right thing medically for them.
"He will be back for Billy in Origin."
