Queensland coach Billy Slater has kept quiet on the controversial send off which ended Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i's Origin debut early after leaving Reece Walsh flat on the turf.

Sua'ali'i was ordered from the ground in the eighth minute by match referee Ashley Klein for the "very dangerous action…(and) direct contact to the head with the shoulder" on the Maroons fullback.

The Blues debutant was handed four weeks - five if unsuccessfully challenged - by the NRL's Match Review Committee within hours of full time.

After utilising the hole left by the send off and surviving an early second half fightback from NSW, the Maroons ran out 38-10 winners in Sydney to lead the series.

Klein's decision sparked some controversy, due both to the high-profile nature of the game and after Walsh appeared to slip into the contact, slightly altering his positioning.

Speaking post-match, Blues coach Michael Maguire said it was a "massive call".

"It's a big call at this level...he was falling, but I'll have to have another look at it. But I think it's a massive call for a game like this," he said.

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans had a different assessment, saying it was "pretty standard" and "the right decision" before adding Walsh's wellbeing was their priority.

Pressed on the issue, Slater remained tight-lipped.

"I'll keep my feelings about that to myself," he said, post-match.

Slater said "he (Walsh) didn't look too good on the field, obviously. But he seems to be okay in the sheds".

The winning coach did comment on a major talking point heading into the match, with Selwyn Cobbo injected earlier than anticipated after being picked on the bench.

The 21-year-old moved into left centre with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow covering in his clubland position.

"The team's been accustomed to adapt to adversity and that's no different to tonight," he said.

"I thought Hammer (Tabuai-Fidow) was great just slipping back into that fullback position.

"(On) Selwyn, hindsight's a great thing, it worked out in our favour.

"That's his (Cobbo's) position. He plays there weekly. He's prepared to play there.

"We prepared for the unexpected and the unexpected happened."

Tabuai-Fidow scored three tries in the contest, two targeting the Blues' right side, and was impressive as the last line of defence.

"He did a great job, didn't he, under the high ball," Slater said.

"Positionally, not just scoring three tries, but he saved probably just as many.

"He did a wonderful job to adjust to a different position. I know he plays there every week, and that's a great luxury, but I thought he was super."

Sua'ali'i's took to Instagram post match.

"Mixed emotions. Disappointed let my brothers, fam n state down

Blessed and honoured to put the blue jersey on," he wrote.

"Onto the next."