NRL issues Maroons ‘please explain’ as HIA, interchange blunder investigated
The NRL has reportedly issued a please explain to Queensland Rugby League following Origin II last week.
The Maroons were pummelled in a first-half rout by New South Wales at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
They rallied somewhat but still lost the game 38-18 to ensure a series decider at Suncorp Stadium in a fortnight’s time.
And to rub salt into the wounds, head office is now investigating the Maroons over two separate interchange incidents.
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed the NRL has asked the QRL to explain a head injury assessment (HIA) on Reuben Cotter late in the first half of the game.
Cotter was ordered off the field after being upended by Blues enforcer Liam Martin – although vision shows the Queensland forward landed on his shoulder, rather than his head.
Cotter had moments earlier clashed heads with his teammate Harry Grant.
Grant was not ordered off the field for a HIA despite a large gash on his head which poured blood and needed to be strapped heavily by a trainer.
If a player is removed for a HIA their team essentially receives a free interchange – meaning a fresh player can come onto the field without having to burn one of their official interchanges.
Clubs have sometimes been accused of urging players to fake head contact in order to gain a free interchange.
The Herald says the NRL wrote to the QRL on Monday asking for an explanation as to why Cotter had a HIA and Grant did not.
Cotter passed the HIA and was allowed to return to the field later in the game.
The Herald says the Maroons were also in strife for bringing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow back onto the field after earlier leaving it due to a shoulder injury.
