Queensland back rower Sam Thaiday has been charged after a first half spear tackle on NSW captain Paul Gallen.
Thaiday, with assistance from retiring Maroons lock Corey Parker, upended Gallen in the 13th minute of Game 2, which the Maroons went on to win 26-16 at Suncorp Stadium.
There were plenty of fans in blue, not to mention a few neutrals, calling for Thaiday to be sent off after the tackle. The NRL has come down hard on those deemed guilty of lifting tackles since Newcastle Knights forward Alex McKinnon was partially paralysed after a spear tackle in 2014.
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Gallen could also consider himself lucky after emerging from the tackle unscathed, going on to play the remainder of the match.
While Thaiday remained on the pitch, the tackle was not seen with the same leniency by the match review officials as it was by the referee during the game. Thaiday was charged with a grade two dangerous throw.
Thaiday is unlikely to take the field in Game 3 due to the seriousness of the charge. While the former Broncos captain has no carryover points, he is likely to accrue 243 points if he takes an early guilty plea, which will equate to a two-match ban.
If he decides to fight the charge and loses, he is likely to pick up 325 points, which will rule him out for a minimum of three games.
With his club side Brisbane locked in a tense battle for the top four and with Origin already wrapped up, Thaiday would be wise to take the plea in order to get himself ready for the run towards the finals.
Although referees are known for being reluctant to pull out the red card in Origin matches, Thaiday – and Queensland – could consider themselves lucky that one of their main enforcers managed to stay on the pitch.
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