Blow for Blues as Greg Bird suspended for State of Origin

Serial NRL offender and NSW Blues forward Greg Bird has been rubbed out of the entire State of Origin series after facing the judiciary on a dangerous throw charge.

Titans backrower Bird sought to have the grade two dangerous throw charge downgraded, but was unsuccessful.

He was banned for eight games, rendering him unavailable for the full Origin series.

The charge stemmed from a dangerous tackle Bird carried out on New Zealand winger Jason Nightingale in the Kangaroos' Anzac Test loss to the Kiwis on Sunday.

It was Bird's fourth dangerous throw charge in the past year.

The hard-hitting forward sought a downgrade by claiming Australian teammates Corey Parker and Alex Johnston contributed to the dangerous tackle.

However, the NRL decided Bird had been in control of the movement.

Bird did not speak to media at the hearing, but NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley reportedly expressed his sympathy for the player afterwards.

"Greg would be shattered," he told News Corp.

"It’s certainly disappointing because I know how much Greg wanted to be part of this year’s series. He proudly wears the NSW jumper and he would be gutted."

Titans coach Neil Henry also said he was disappointed in the outcome.