Queensland copped an early blow in State of Origin I when fiery second-rower Tom Gilbert stumbled from the field with a game-ending shoulder injury.
And one blow nearly became two when Gilbert’s replacement, tough front-rower Lindsay Collins, entered the field before his injured teammate was off, meaning Queensland briefly had 14 men on the paddock and was rightfully penalised.
Gilbert suffered his injury as Queensland led 10-0 in the 18th minute, after charging out of his side’s defensive line with a target on NSW winger Brian To’o.
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The Cowboys enforcer was left clutching at his right shoulder and was quickly in the hands of a trainer, leaving Billy Slater with the challenge of being one man down for the remainder of the game.
“Tom Gilbert, he’s come away from that tackle holding that shoulder … He’s in strife,” said NSW great Andrew Johns on Nine’s coverage.
“He’s as tough as they come … If he’s gone straight to the trainer you know he’s in strife.”
Mulling over the interchange mix-up involving Gilbert and Collins, Queensland legend Cameron Smith suggested the latter was overcome by excitement.
”He hadn’t left the field and Collins was out there. He looked to leave the field on the opposite side and there was obviously confusion for the Queensland trainer,” Smith said on the Nine broadcast.
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“Lindsay Collins got on the field and ran the ball. Too eager.”
Hammer draws first blood for Queensland
While the Blues were gifted a fresh set of six in the Maroons’ half of the field when Queensland was penalised for having 14 men on the paddock, an exceptional try-saving tackle by Murray Taulagi ensured NSW did not turn the optimal field territory into points.
Helped by a couple of his teammates, Taulagi clung to Tedesco and refused to let go.
The Queensland winger produced an even more impressive try-saving tackle shortly after, getting underneath bulldozing NSW back-rower Tyson Frizell and holding him up.
The Maroons took a 10-6 lead into half-time with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Liam Martin crossing for tries.
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