Queensland lock Keilee Joseph was taken off on a medicab late in the State of Origin opener on Thursday night after copping a heavy blow to the head while going to tackle.
Joseph was the second Maroons player ruled out with a head injury in Newcastle, after front-rower Makenzie Weale was driven into the ground head-first while taking the second hit-up of the game.
In the 59th minute of the game, won by NSW 11-6, Joseph went low to tackle Blues enforcer Tiana Penitani Gray and her head made heavy contact with the back-rower's hips.
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In positive signs, Joseph remained conscious and was able to be helped to her feet, before a medicab wheeled her off the ground at McDonald Jones Stadium.
In the opening seconds of the match, Weale was ruled out after storming onto the ball and thundering into NSW stars Millie Elliott, Keeley Nizza and Yasmin Meakes, who forced her backwards and drove her into the ground. She hit the ground head-first and with great force.
Weale left the field for a head injury assessment and displayed category one symptoms, ruling her out of the game.
"We don't like seeing that, we don't want players leaving the field, but strong defence," former NSW star Allana Ferguson said on Nine.
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Elliott looked momentarily dazed after clashing heads with Joseph in the 14th minute, but the gun prop didn't leave the field for a head injury assessment.
She played her first game since starring for the Roosters in their 2024 NRLW grand final triumph over the Sharks.
Elliott, the wife of South Sydney forward Adam Elliott, gave birth to their daughter Gigi last September.
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