NRL
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Queensland's Su'A, Papalii in Origin doubt

NRL

Queensland State of Origin enforcers Josh Papalii and Jaydn Su'A could be scrubbed for next month's series opener after both were involved in dangerous high shots on Saturday.

Canberra prop Papalii was sent off when he hit Tuipuloto Katoa high with his shoulder while South Sydney's Su'A was sin-binned for a similar hit on Aaron Woods in the game that followed on day two of Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.

Papalii has two non-similar charges inside the last year while Su'A's charge would come with a 70 per cent weighting thanks to one similar and one non-similar charge.

It means even if the pair were hit with grade two charges - the grading Gold Coast's David Fifita copped for his swipe across the face of Adam Doueihi last week - they would miss the series opener in Melbourne on June 9 even with early guilty pleas.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart argued Papalii's suspension should be minimal at best.

"It should be send-off sufficient," he said.

"He hit him high, but he was falling into the tackle.

"There are going to be a whole heap of send-offs this year if that's a send-off incident.

"I just hope they don't change now if that's going to be the precedent."

Su'A impressed in his debut series off the bench last season while Papalii has emerged as the Maroons' pack leader since Matt Scott's retirement.

Their absence, on top of in-form Sydney Roosters forward Lindsey Collins and Brisbane's Patrick Carrigan suffering season-ending knee injuries, would create a head-scratcher for incoming coach Paul Green.

Fellow 2020 rookie Moeaki Fotuaika, Gold Coast teammates Jarrod Wallace and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and Rabbitohs workhorse Jai Arrow, Melbourne guns Christian Welch and Felise Kaufusi, rejuvenated North Queensland backrower Coen Hess and Raiders powerhouse Dunamis Lui will be queuing up for their shot.

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