- May and Sua’ali’i are teammates at the Roosters
- Club has announced whether Sua’ali’i will accept a long-term suspension
- He broke the Origin record when he was sent off for a hit on Walsh
Terrell May responded to Roosters teammate Joseph Sua’ali’i’s heartfelt apology to Reece Walsh over his shocking Origin tackle by writing ‘HIS DEAD’ on the Blues star’s Instagram post.
Sua’ali’i broke the State of Origin record for fastest send-off when he was marched off the pitch just seven minutes into Wednesday night’s match after leveling Walsh by smashing his shoulder into his jaw.
The Maroons full-back was knocked unconscious by the hit and his left hand contorted in disturbing scenes immediately after the goal.
While many of Sua’ali’i’s Blues and Roosters teammates supported him after he apologized for beating Reece Walsh, Terrell May (pictured playing for the Roosters in March) chose to make a shocking leave a comment on Instagram.
Sua’ali’i knocked out Walsh with the sickening goal (pictured) and was sent off – paving the way for Queensland’s easy 38-10 win over the Blues on Wednesday night
When a footy fan responded to May’s comment (pictured), the striker responded by writing ‘have fun at work bum hehehehe’
On Thursday, Sua’ali’i took to Instagram to apologize for punching Walsh while standing in front of the media outside the NSW team hotel.
“Mixed emotions,” he wrote on social media.
‘Disappointed, my brothers and family dropped out. Blessed and honored to wear the blue jersey. #311.
‘On to the next.’
May then said ‘HIS DEATH’ – and when a footy fan responded with ‘dryy’, the Roosters forwards came back with ‘have fun at work bum hehehehe’.
Sua’ali’i’s other Blues and Roosters teammates were much more supportive.
Nathan Cleary wrote, “On to the next one, my brother!”, Spencer Leniu left a blue heart emoji, as did Josh Addo-Carr and Payne Haas, who also wrote “love you.”
Stephen Crichton said, “That’s my brother,” Brian To’o said, “It’s you chief,” and Joey Manu chimed in with “My brother.”
Sua’ali’i’s immediate Origin career appears to be over after he accepted a four-match ban on Friday for the Walsh tackle.
Sua’ali’i set a record for the fastest separation in Origin history when he was marched off the pitch after just seven minutes of action (pictured)
Walsh recovered after being knocked unconscious by the tackle (pictured) – and now Sua’ali’i has accepted a four-week ban for the shot
The Roosters confirmed on Friday morning that the 20-year-old center had entered an early guilty plea, meaning he will miss NRL matches between rounds 15 and 18 and will not be available for Origin until game three.
The Roosters could apply to have the second Origin match count towards Suaalii’s suspension, but selection rules would still see him miss the club match that preceded game two.
Suaalii would be available for selection in the third match of the series on July 17, but he appears unlikely to be selected given his lack of competitive football in the build-up to that match.
He would have risked a five-match ban by taking his charges to the NRL judge.
Given he will code-switch to play rugby union from 2025 and has not committed to a return to NRL, Suaalii’s Origin future is clouded after just seven minutes of game time on debut.
Latrell Mitchell and Matt Burton appear to be the leading candidates to replace Suaalii in the centers when NSW battle to keep the series alive in Melbourne later this month.
The Roosters have a bye this weekend, but Fetalaiga Pauga looks the safest option to take Suaalii’s spot in the backline for Round 15 as Billy Smith remains sidelined with an ankle problem.