Violence erupted between players in the opening State Of Origin game between Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues after what has been described as a "sickening" challenge.
State Of Origin is an infamous three-game rugby league series contested between two Australian representative sides.
Less than three minutes into the game on Wednesday, chaos ensued when New South Wales half-back Nathan Cleary launched a huge up-and-under deep into Maroons territory, which Queensland full-back Reece Walsh jumped high to collect. His hanging leg caught NSW's second-row Tyson Frizell in the chest.
Walsh hit the deck and rolled, with NSW Blues winger Josh Addo-Carr then appearing to flop on his opponent to make contact with his head, sparking a confrontation between both sets of players.
As Addo-Carr and Walsh squabbled on the deck, David Cherry-Evans of the Maroons got yanked by the scruff of the neck by Blues man Hudson Young. Young was then pulled by Cherry-Evans as Tom Gilbert came charging in to completely floor the Blues man.
As the mayhem died down, Frizell could be heard telling the referee: "He kicked me straight in the chest."
No cards were handed out, but the Blues were penalised and Queensland kicked for touch.
Watch the incident below:
Rugby player welfare group Progressive Rugby said on Twitter: "State of Origin is an event non league fans tune into because of the ‘passion’ on show. It’s played at enormous speed, and with huge physicality and skill. But ultimately this is just a player delivering a sickening blow to the head of a fellow professional. As they lie prone."
The match ended 26-18 to Queensland, with a try from Cameron Munster on 77 minutes securing the victory in Adelaide.
The second game of the series will take place on June 21.
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