NSW fullback James Tedesco has failed his head injury assessment (HIA) and been ruled out of the State of Origin decider in Brisbane after a head clash late in the first half.
Head clash incident
The incident occurred in an eventful final minute of the first half when Tedesco clashed heads with Queensland's Briton Nikora, who was carrying the ball after a Blues knock-on. Trailing 18-4, Nikora stopped and stared down a dazed Tedesco before playing on and being tackled, triggering an all-in scuffle. Nikora was placed on report for high contact in the ensuing scuffle, and the full house was not impressed when referee Ashley Klein awarded a penalty to the visitors.
"Tedesco's in a bad way," Andrew Johns said on Nine. "He'll be gone for the game. He was out cold."
HIA assessment
Against expectations, Tedesco was given the chance to return when he was only assessed with Category 2 symptoms. However, he failed his head injury assessment at half-time and was replaced at fullback by Tolu Koula.
"Well he's pretty excited but he knows he's got a big job because they'll look to target him," NSW coach Laurie Daley said when asked what he said to Koula.
Second-half changes
The Maroons were then forced into a second-half change of their own. Reece Walsh was injected when halfback Sam Walker was also sent for a HIA with Category 2 symptoms after slipping into teammate Robert Toia.
— with AAP
