Daly Cherry-Evans has left the Queensland Maroons training camp with assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister saying Queensland will opt to include Warriors backrower Jacob Lillyman instead should Cooper Cronk be unavailable.
It was expected that the mostly likely result if Cronk was ruled out of the game would be that Michael Morgan would move from the bench to replace him on field, with Cherry-Evans then filling in on the bench.
However it appears to be the case that Lillyman will fill that role, should the need arise.
Of course, the Maroons’ willingness to send Cherry-Evans away might also indicate a growing confidence that Cronk will be available for the series opener on Wednesday.
“I would be very surprised if he (Cronk) didn’t play,” said Gillmeister.
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“Cooper will do everything he can. We will give him until the Monday or Tuesday.
“The physio says he is coming along nicely, hopefully he has enough time.”
Lillyman has played in a total of 11 State of Origin matches, making his debut in 2006 but playing only occasionally until more recent years. He played in all three matches in 2015, and two of three in 2014.
“I thought Lillyman had his best game for Queensland in game three (last year’s 52-6 win) and was unlucky to miss out,” said Gillmeister.
“I love Jakey. You know what he brings.
“If he gets a chance he won’t let us down.”
Queensland Maroons team for State of Origin Game 1
1. Darius Boyd, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Justin O’Neill, 5. Dane Gagai, 6. Johnathan Thurston, 7. Cooper Cronk*, 8. Matt Scott, 9. Cameron Smith, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Matt Gillett, 12. Sam Thaiday, 13. Corey Parker