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'Fear for his future': Boyd Cordner health scare compounds NSW loss

andrew reid
·4-min read
Pictured here, NSW captain Boyd Cordner suffered a worrying first half head knock.
Boyd Cordner's first half head knock sent a scare through the rugby league world. Pic: Ch9/Getty

Boyd Cordner has sent a scare through the rugby league world after suffering yet another concussion scare in the Blues’ four-point loss in the State of Origin Opener.

The Blues skipper had to leave the field after just 19 minutes, before his side went down 18-14 after a gripping second half fightback from the Maroons at Adelaide Oval.

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Cordner has had a worrying history of concussions and sat out several games for the Roosters in the 2020 season.

The inspirational Blues skipper declared himself "all good" before the series opener, despite missing seven games for his club in 2020 because of repeated head knocks.

The second-rower first suffered his first bout of concussion in the Roosters' round-eight loss to Melbourne, before returning a fortnight later and copping a knock to the head in training.

He was then sat out for a further five weeks, seeing a specialist about headaches, before returning in round 16 and suffering another knock against Newcastle in round 18.

Cordner came back from that setback in round 20 but was a shadow of himself in the premiers' semi-final loss to Canberra.

Despite some doubters calling for the 28-year-old to hang up the boots for the sake of his long-term health, Cordner has remained dedicated to playing on.

However, the 28-year-old's troublesome issues resurfaced midway through the first half on Wednesday night when he collided with the hip of a Maroons player.

Cordner was whisked off the field immediately and underwent an HIA test to determine whether he could return to action.

Fortunately, the HIA showed no signs of concussion and he returned to the field a short time later.

The NSW skipper's re-emergence had plenty of concerned league fans worried for his safety though, with concerns about the potential impact on his long-term health.

QLD wins after stirring comeback

Tries to Damien Cook and Josh Addo-Carr had given the Blues a solid 10-0 lead at halftime.

But as they always seem to do at Origin time, the Queenslanders found another gear after the break.

Whatever master coach Wayne Bennett said at halftime worked as AJ Brimson kickstarted the Maroons' comeback with a 49th minute try.

The Maroons took the lead less than five minutes later when debutant Xavier Coates' four-pointer was converted from the sideline from Queensland skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.

Seen here, Cameron Munster celebrates a try for the Maroons in Origin Game I.
The Maroons staged a typically inspiring second half fightback in Game I. Pic: AAP

Cameron Munster then made it an eight point lead for the underdogs when he capitalised on a loose ball from the Blues to race clear for his side's third try.

The Blues set up a grand stand finish when Addo-Carr crossed out wide with five minutes to play, with Nathan Cleary unable to add the extras.

NSW threw everything at the Maroons in the dying stages but the Queenslanders were able to hang on to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

with AAP

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