Queensland halfback Sam Walker has been forced off the field to undergo a head injury assessment after being accidentally struck by one of his own Maroons teammates during the match.
The incident, described as a case of friendly fire, saw the New South Wales-born Walker — representing Queensland — caught by an errant shot from a fellow Maroons player, raising immediate concerns about his ability to continue.
Walker was sent from the field as a precaution to complete the standard head injury assessment protocol. It remains to be seen whether he will be cleared to return to play.
The incident adds an unwanted complication to Queensland's on-field efforts, with Walker considered a key playmaker in the Maroons' lineup.
