NSW coach Laurie Daley admits he’s concerned about a spate of injuries picked up in pre-season by players who’ll be in the mix for selection in this year’s State of Origin series.
Todd Carney (thigh), Jarrod Mullen (hamstring), Jorge Taufua (shoulder), Josh Dugan (knee) and Adam Reynolds (knee) are all battling ahead of the start of the 2014 season next week.
Dugan and Mullen are expected to spend at least five weeks on the sidelines with Manly winger Taufua potentially out for longer after sustaining the injury against Parramatta on Saturday.
Carney and Reynolds were very close to selection last year and Daley said he wants as many of his candidates fit and in form before making his selection for the opening match of the series in Brisbane on May 28.
“What’s disappointing is that we’re just getting some guys that are around the team, if you like, picking up injuries,” Daley said.
“Blokes like Taufua, Carney, Mullen are in and around and in the frame but can’t start the season.
“I really want to see them putting pressure on the guys that are there already.”
Daley said early at the start of his reign last year that Mitchell Pearce would be his first-choice halfback and the coach believes the Sydney Roosters premiership winner has done nothing to change that opinion.
“He’s got better. Winning a premiership will only improve him. He’s still 24, 25 and his best footy is in front of him,” Daley said.
“He’s got tremendous character and you can’t underestimate what winning a comp will do for him.
“He played really well in the finals series and I was very impressed with some of the stuff he did.”
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