The NRL has endorsed the decision made by referee Ashley Klein regarding the ejection of Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga.
This incident occurred during the latter part of Origin I in Sydney on Wednesday night.
Ponga's tackle on Tolu Koula, a winger for NSW, was deemed a shoulder charge due to direct impact to the head.
The situation escalated when the match review committee's charge sheet classified Ponga's offense as a grade-two shoulder charge, resulting in only a fine.
Had it been categorized as a grade-three shoulder charge, Ponga would face a three-week suspension, ruling him out of Origin II.
Despite the controversy, the NRL upheld Klein's game-changing decision, which permitted the Blues to rally from a 20-6 deficit to clinch a 22-20 victory.
"The NRL supports Ashley Klein's decision to send off Kalyn Ponga during State of Origin Game One," stated Graham Annesley, NRL GM of elite competitions, in an official announcement on Thursday.
"This incident involved clear and forceful shoulder-to-head and head-to-head contact with no mitigating factors.
"Player safety is extremely important, and the game will make no apology for taking strong action on foul play."