'Absolutely disgusting': Maroons player slammed over 'revolting' act

Sports Reporter

Wed, 18 Nov 2020, 5:12 am·2-min read

Jai Arrow (pictured left) shoving James Tedesco back into the turf after Tedesco (pictured right) in distress. — Jai Arrow (pictured left) shoved James Tedesco back into the turf after it appeared he was knocked unconscious (pictured right). (Images: Channel Nine/Getty Images)

Queensland forward Jai Arrow has been absolutely savaged for a ‘revolting’ act after James Tedesco appeared to be knocked unconscious after an accidental knee.

With the scores locked at 6-6 in a brutally fast State of Origin decider in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium, NSW fullback and captain Tedesco was flattened.

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With Tedesco on the floor after a tackle, hulking forward Josh Papalii accidentally collided with the fullback with his knee.

But with Tedesco clearly in distress after the sickening collision, Arrow picked Tedesco up by the jersey and shoved him back into the turf.

NRL immortal Andrew Johns ripped into Arrow for the act.

“So he gets the knee here and he’s knocked out. He’s on the ground,” Johns said about Tedesco.

“That’s just not needed, the extra (from Arrow) - the game’s hard enough as it is without that rubbish coming into play.”

Fans also took aim at Arrow for the ‘disgusting’ act.

Imagine Tedesco had a serious neck injury and the coward carry on by Jai Arrow severed his spinal cord. #Origin
— Josh Holt (@JoshHoltTEN) November 18, 2020

Arrow should be off.
— Jessica Halloran (@JessiHalloran) November 18, 2020

Still puzzled how jai arrow can get away with that .
— James Paterson (@padoaus) November 18, 2020

Absolutely disgusting actions exhibited by Jai Arrow in the tackle against James Tedesco. Tedesco was already knocked unconscious and Arrow continues to slam his head into the ground. Terrible sportsmanship and sends a bad message to younger players. @QLDmaroons @NSWBlues
— Tahlee Mckeand (@itsmetahlee) November 18, 2020

Tedesco went off for a HIA and was unable to return for the crucial decider.

Fans praise packed Suncorp stadium

NRL fans around the world have immediately praised the ‘amazing’ atmosphere at a packed Suncorp stadium for the State of Origin decider.

Queensland host NSW at Suncorp Stadium in front of an expected record crowd since the coronavirus pandemic locked down stadiums around the world.

While huge queues appeared to stop fans reaching their seats at kick-off, fans trickled in over the first 10 minutes to pack out the stadium.

For many sport fans around the world, a packed stadium seems so foreign after months of lockdown.

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