NSW Blues star James Tedesco has been unexpectedly ruled out of the Origin decider following a peculiar incident involving Maroons backrower Briton Nikora.
As the first half neared its end, Tedesco suffered a significant blow while trying to tackle Nikora, resulting in a heavy collision that left him down on the field.
Interestingly, Nikora chose to pause and loom over Tedesco as the game continued, which drew the ire of Tedesco's fellow Blues players and sparked a brief skirmish that quickly subsided.
Maroons great Cameron Smith commented, "Tedesco is in a bad way."
He further remarked, "This could have huge implications on the game. That's a heavy knock; he's come in to make the tackle."
This incident raises concerns not only for Tedesco's participation but also potentially for the momentum of the game itself.
The fallout from this collision could reverberate throughout the match, impacting strategies and dynamics as both teams look to claim victory in the Origin decider.