'No need for that carry on': Jai Arrow blasted for Teddy slam
Jai Arrow would have regretted lifting up an unconscious James Tedesco and slamming him back into the turf about the same time Brad Fittler must have regretted not picking Ryan Papenhuyzen on his bench.
One of rugby league's ugliest moments arrived midway through the first half at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night after Tedesco was knocked out cold by an accidental knee from Queensland prop Josh Papalii.
Tedesco lost the ball and was in serious trouble before Arrow shoved his rival's head into the ground and then picked him up and crunched him back into the turf for good measure.
The grubby act sparked immediate outrage on social media, while Immortal Andrew Johns said on Channel Nine's coverage: "There's no need for that carry on from Jai Arrow. The game is hard enough as it is without that rubbish coming into play.''
The Sydney Roosters ace struggled to his feet and had no idea if he was in Brisbane or Bondi as he was quickly grabbed by trainer Travis Touma.
Ecstasy to agony ... James Tedesco scores and then is taken from the field minutes later.Credit:Nine
It was clear to the people inside the ground and watching at home that Tedesco's night was over.
He was only elevated to NSW captain because his Roosters and Blues skipper, Boyd Corder, was concussed again in game one and forced to pull out of the series.
Cody Walker also failed to finish Wednesday night's game and was taken from the field in the final five minutes on the back of a medicab.
To be fair to Arrow, he realised what a monumental blunder he had made once he saw how bad Tedesco was and immediately signalled for help.
Arrow is bound for South Sydney, and the fact his brain snap involved a Roosters star will not be forgotten any time soon by the Chooks faithful.
Brad Fittler consoles a heavily concussed James Tedesco.Credit:Getty Images
The NRL match review committee will no doubt take an interest in Arrow's actions, which could arguably be viewed as contrary conduct.
Papalii had no way of stopping when his knee flattened Tedesco. Eagle-eyed fans would have remembered it was Papalii who was responsible for driving Tedesco back in a tackle during the Roosters-Raiders semi-final, which caused the fullback's grade-two medial ligament strain to his knee and briefly had him in doubt for the Origin opener.
Jai Arrows gets ready to slam an unconscious James Tedesco.
Tedesco scored the Blues' opening try when a Nathan Cleary kick was knocked on by Corey Allan and he was able to pounce on a loose ball.
The loss of Tedesco meant Clint Gutherson moved to fullback and Isaah Yeo shoved into right centre.
NSW lost their leader, defensive organiser and man entrusted to provide some much-needed spark.
Jai Arrow came under fire on social media for his grubby act.
And to think Papenhuyzen, the Clive Churchill Medallist and second-best fullback in the game behind Tedesco, was named in the NSW No. 18, only for NSW coach Fittler to stick with the same team who got the job done a week earlier.
Fittler admitted it was a tough call to ignore Papenhuyzen given he could plug so many positions.
Papenhuyzen making his debut in his preferred position and at a ground he had already created so many wonderful memories would have proven less of a distraction for the Blues.
His lightning speed would have caused Queensland so many headaches.
Almost as big as the one Tedesco was left nursing.
Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.