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Queensland captain Darren Lockyer says the loss of NSW utility Craig Wing to injury ahead of game two will hurt the Blues’ State of Origin hopes considerably.
Lockyer admitted on Monday that Wing’s impact running out of dummy half during the second half of game one sparked the Blues’ comeback and troubled the Maroons’ defence.
Wing, who came off the bench in game one, has failed to recover from a hamstring tear that has hampered his preparation all week at the Blues’ training camp on the NSW Central Coast.
Queensland are chasing an historic fourth consecutive series win at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night and Wing’s late withdrawal is a huge blow to the Blues side.
“He was, I guess, a big part of their comeback in the second half,” Lockyer said on Monday.
“I think his running from dummy half was a bit of an issue for us, and at the end of the game was something that we addressed.
“If he’s not there, depending who they bring in, you know he’s a dangerous player, Wing.”
The Rabbitohs star was unable to take part in Blues training at Homebush on Monday and was ruled out with Bulldogs centre Josh Morris named as his replacement.
Lockyer was puzzled that Morris would come into the Blues side for Wing.
“Morris … I can’t really work out why,” he said.
“I’m sure there’s a tactical reason for it, Craig (Bellamy) surely would have had a few days to think about it … if that happens and that’s the case, there’d be a reason why.”
Morris will start the game off the bench, with Blues fullback and captain Kurt Gidley effectively taking on the role as the Blues’ utility player, given his ability to play in the halves and at hooker.
With Gidley becoming the floater, Jarryd Hayne is likely to spend some time at fullback with Morris to come on either on the wing or in the centres.
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