A concerned hush replaced the raucous atmosphere in Newcastle following a scary moment in the first Women’s State of Origin game.

Keilee Joseph, who had made a number of impressive tackles during the game, was knocked unconscious as she attempted yet another one.

Lowering her head into contact, Joseph’s head made direct contact with her opponent’s hip.

The injury caused a lengthy delay in proceedings during the second half as physios and medics attended to the fallen Maroon star.

It marked the end of a difficult night for the embattled Joseph who had earlier returned to the game following a leg injury.

Keilee Joseph took a nasty blow to the head while attempting a tackle

Teammates and opponents rushed to her side with Joseph motionless after the massive hit

She had to be attended to by medics and physios who immediately signalled for the medi-cab

Joseph was able to get back to her feet before being taken off the field on the medi-cab

The injury also saw the 18th player for Queensland Destiny Brill activated and eligible to take part in the game.

Fans watching on took to Twitter to express their concern for the stricken player who was eventually taken from the field on the medi-cab.

One user wrote, ‘Keilee Joseph is in awful discomfort after being left in a bad state trying to tackle a NSW player.’

Another added, ‘Keilee is tough… she’s ok… good news… she’s been a warrior tonight… looking forward to see her play for Parra this year…’

 Another user said, ‘That’s not good. Joseph is having a good game and now is down. Hopefully she’s ok.’

One tried to make light of the situation, writing, ‘Concussion’s bad enough without having to hear Mr Brightside while being stretchered off.’

Joseph’s injury was the last in what turned out to be a game of attrition with Queensland suffering two Grade 1 HIA injuries.

New South Wales also had a head injury issue with Millie Elliott taking a whack to the head in the first half.

Despite the head contact, Elliott received a pretty brief assessment before being allowed to play on.

That was a decision that left fans on Twitter bemused, with some wondering how she was allowed to remain on the field, with one watcher saying, ‘I don’t think Millie Elliott will be back on tonight.’

Another user replied, ‘Never left. Bizarre.’

That led to a number of questions asked of the medical staff, ‘So is the independent doctor really not going to take Millie Elliott off,’ one asked.

While another added, ‘Nah she hit her chin, didn’t you see her say so?’

It would be NSW that drew first blood in the State of Origin series thanks to Jesse Southwell’s stellar performance.

Southwell slotted a one pointer with eight minutes left to play before having a hand in the final play of the game for NSW centre Jess Sergis’ late try in front of 20,179 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle on Thursday.

Halfback Southwell’s cool head has assured the Blues are just one win from claiming a second-straight series under John Strange ahead of away trips to Brisbane on May 14 and the Gold Coast on May 28.

Otesa Pule, one of the New Zealand representatives cleared for Queensland because of the loosening of the Origin eligibility rules, took the field following a head injury to Mackenzie Weale.

Sydney Roosters prop Pule made an instant impact by charging over from close range under the sticks to give the Maroons a second-minute lead.

The Blues had all the territory and possession in the opening 10 minutes after halftime and turned to brute force to get off the mark when prop Ellie Johnston powered through some heavy traffic to score.

Southwell converted to draw the sides level.

Then it was time for the aforementioned Southwell to step forward, kicking the one-pointer eight minutes from time and the Blues never looked back.