The Sydney Roosters centre flew out of the line to put a shot on the Queensland fullback while the Maroons, leading 6-0, were on the attack after their first try on Wednesday night.
Maroons fullback Reece Walsh receives treatment after being floored late by Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. (Mark Evans/AAP PHOTOS)
Walsh had been targeted by the Blues defence early and lay motionless on the ground after receiving the hit from Suaalii, with Queensland teammates and then staff attending to him on-field.
Play initially continued downfield but was eventually brought to a halt by referee Ash Klein, who pulled Suaalii and Blues captain Jake Trbojevic aside.
"That is a very dangerous action, there is direct contact to the head. You're off," the referee said.
Walsh was rubbed out for the game after reporting category-one head injury symptoms, permitting Queensland to activate their 18th man Felise Kaufusi.
Channel Nine broadcasters crossed live to Billy Slater shortly after Walsh was ruled out, with the Queensland coach tight-lipped on the shot.
"You probably don't want to know that," he said when asked for his opinion on Suaalii's move.
In commentary, NSW legend Andrew Johns was critical of the decision to send Suaalii from the field.
"At clubland, yes. It's a shame. It is a send-off, but at this level I'm really surprised they sent Joseph Suaalii off," he said.
Suaalii became the sixth player in Origin history to be sent straight from the field, his hit casting extreme doubt over the Blues' hopes of starting the Michael Maguire-era on a winning note.
Suaalii's send-off also brought attention to Maguire's decision not to carry an outside back on his bench - a selection call that sparked debate in the lead-up to Origin I
