A shattered Josh Dugan is in danger of missing the opening State of Origin clash for NSW after damaging the AC joint in his left shoulder in Canberra’s 14-8 NRL loss to the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.
Dugan left Allianz Stadium with his arm in a sling and did not speak to media, but he made his feelings about both the injury and the defeat clear in a Twitter posting.
“Devastated. But the boys are staying positive and to you haters, keep hating gives us motivation,” wrote Dugan.
The 21-year-old will undergo scans on Monday to ascertain the severity of the injury but Raiders coach David Furner said the initial prognosis from medical staff was that his star would be ruled out for “up to four to six weeks, maybe even longer”.
Should he be out for six weeks, Dugan would miss the NSW City v Country match in Mudgee on April 22, but return for round nine against Manly, two weeks ahead of the State of Origin opener in Melbourne.
If the injury proves to be more serious, he would be forced to miss a third successive Origin after performing superbly in last year’s opener, only to miss the next two matches with a calf injury.
Veteran Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello took over as Dugan’s replacement in the 2011 series, after Manly star Brett Stewart deemed himself not ready as he made his way back from a career-threatening knee injury.
With Jarryd Hayne battling a knee issue and Kurt Gidley also out with a dislocated shoulder, the door could now open for Stewart to return to the Blues side for the first time since 2008.
Raiders prop David Shillington, who was forced to play 71 minutes for his side with injuries to fellow forwards Trevor Thurling (knee) and Shaun Fensom (bicep)in the first half, revealed Dugan cut a desolate figure in the sheds as he contemplated another long spell on the sidelines.
“He’s a tough player to replace Doogs, he has some freakish ability and he’s a bit down in there,” Shillington told AAP.
“Hopefully for him, and for us it is not too bad and he’s back out on the paddock soon.”
In Sunday’s other games, South Sydney mentor Michael Maguire tasted victory for the first time as an NRL head coach as his side beat Penrith 40-24 at Centrebet Stadium.
And Canterbury joined Melbourne – who beat Gold Coast on Saturday – and Manly – who face Cronulla on Monday – as the only teams with 100 per cent records in 2012 with a fine 32-18 win over the Warriors in Auckland.
Des Hasler’s Canterbury relinquished a 16-0 lead to trail 18-16 early in the second half before two late tries sealed the two points.
Maguire rang the changes following his side’s defeat by Melbourne, with Greg Inglis starting at fullback and it worked a treat with the Queensland superstar scoring a try.
Giant second rower David Taylor scored two tries to end a run of two successive defeats for the Rabbitohs.
Parramatta coach Stephen Kearney is under mounting pressure after his side became the first Eels outfit to lose their first three games since 1991 when they slumped 42-6 against North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday.
Kearney has tasted defeat in 20 of his 27 games at the helm of the club and his team will be the only side without a win should Cronulla beat Manly at Toyota Stadium on Monday night.
evo87g
Guest
i agree with u mate i think idris needs to be included but ..we are playing against QLD we cant afford weak players hayne is a beast as well as the morris brothers and idris is well even bigger. Uate is a gun but is he goona out jumo hodgers, inglis or slater dont think so. your right about the morris bros on one side and on the other Idris and Hayne. Powerfull parnerships there 1 Dugan/ Stewart 2 Morris 3 Morris 4 Idris 5 Hayne 6 Carney 7 Maloney
evo87g
Guest
Blues origin side 2012 1. Dugan 2. Morris 3. Morris 4. Idris/ Lawrance 5. Hayne 6. Carney 7. Maloney/ Pearce 8. Tolman 9. Ennis 10. Gallen 11.Watmough 12. Stewart 13. Bird 14. Gidley 15. Fafita/ Galloway 16. Lewis 17. T-rex
evo87g
Guest
Hornby are u serious and soward is a girl its embarrassing watching him play for the blues.
Shaamus
Guest
Mate I thought that you might have had a clue but I guess your just like everyone else out there that doesn't have a clue. Hornby and Soward played good in one game and your calling for Hornby to be placed back in the NSW team. Mate if your saying then then why wasn't he there between 09-11 when the team was at its peak. No clue at all mate. You have been calling for the Morris twins to be together. Yeah I'm sure everyone has but has had to deal with Josh's form over the last two years which would explain why his last game was in 09. You must have a strong hold on Hayne. I'm ready to hit myself cause you have no clue at all what you are saying. You don't play players outta there position. What don't you understand about that. No one is going to pick Hayne in centre, wing, 5/8 or even the bench. And now you start with Stewart on the wing. In his career to date he has only played fullback. Why would you play him on the wing. You know why we would. Cause people like you have a whinge crying out for some attacking flair not having a clue about what your saying and where to pick your players. I'm really glad that you aren't a coach cause if it came down to you selecting a team, I wouldn't feel comfortable in you selecting a under 10's team. Sorry mate but when people wanna talk the way you do, it boils me cause you have no idea what your talking about. Just a fan of having a whinge thinking you know best when there is more to look at.
Charles
Guest
Disagree with your comments on Hornby and Soward, have a look at last Friday night game with Dragons & Tigers I also disagree with your comments about Hayne who has proven himself time and time again In regards to Hayne at centre this is where a good coach comes into play, with a sound game plan You let both centres run on either sides of the field and the wingers too for that matter. Josh Morris next to Brett Morris is what I have been calling out for a number of years because I feel they will not let each other down and will compete to see who can score the most tries. In other words they will be hungry to do their best. On top of that they will give Justin Hodge a hard time! I vision having Brett, Josh Morris with Jarrod Hayne running the left side with Brett Stewart trailing. Many tries to be had there as an example! You are right all this will not happen as we have a NSW coach who has no idea!
Shaamus
Guest
No matter what anyone says Mitchell Pearce will be the halfback full spot. NSW selectors will always pick him over everyone else. Yet mate Ben Hornby is old and useless. Sadly Jamie Soward has lost his attack zip that he had back in 09-10. While he may have one of the best kicking games out there he is by no means a stand out performer anymore. That's why paring Pearce and Carney is the best solution for NSW. You need to remember this was meant to be the halves pairing for last year till Carney went off the rails. And if Campese wasn't injured then he would have been selected instead of Soward. Hate to say it but Soward was only there cause there was no one else. If they go with Soward, then we have lost already. If they took your advice and went with Hornby then we might as well give them the series. As to your Hayne statement. Yes he is talented. But why on earth will you play him in another position when it doesn't work for him. You said to play him in the centres. Look back at either 08 or 09 when he started the season in the centres. He had no impact at all. Why? Cause the centres play to one side of the field and are very structured in the plays when they link with there second rower and fullback. Best example is the Dragons play. Hayne can't play like that. It's not in his game to be contained at all. Last year he struggled at 5/8 cause he was trying to be a passer and not a runner. He needs freedom. And hate to say it, I will be glad if he isn't selected in the team. No one seems to realise that in the stats these other players have been far better then Hayne over the last year of so. So why should we select him. Cause he is a show pony. Cause the Hayne train will save NSW. The kid has got talent but over rated at the moment. As I said NSW best chance at matching up with Qlds backs will be going with what I've mentioned. Reading the rugby league week and it seems like they are going with Josh Morris in left centre next to Brett Morris and the other centre position is down to Lawrence and Jennings. Sorry Charles but your wish for Hayne to be included is slipping away at the moment. As you said there is still time to go.
Charles
Guest
Why should Mitchell Pearce be given another go, he is not up to it, most can see that! Todd Carney is a good player I have no problem with him However, why would you get rid of Jamies Soward who has the best kicking game in the business He will keep getting better leave him there but give him support, which is to my mind Ben Hornby Jarrod Mullen , Peter Wallace are good but not outstanding that is why Ben Hornby or even Todd Carney as 1/2 may be the best option Still some time to go to for the team to be chosen but Shaamus it would be a sin to leave out Jarrod Hayne He can fit in anywhere and do well, he is so talented
Shaamus
Guest
I agree with you Charles. Hayne does have that X-factor abut him. But I wouldn't suggest placing him in a position where he barely plays. Wouldn't be right on the other plays and the likes of Inglis and Hodges will catch him off guard during the game. My 1-7 would be the following: Brett Stewart Brett Morris Josh Morris Chris Lawrence Akuila Uate Todd Carney Mitchell Pearce I know people will turn there head with me saying Todd Carney. But fact is that him and Pearce combine so well that it puts the team in a good position to start with. Everyone has said it all along, Pearce will be the halfback for many years to come. I do however think Peter Wallace should be given a go again. His involvement has improved since Locky's retirement. But that is my judgement and if i was selecting the team, its the way I would go.
Charles
Guest
Shaamus, well said I agree with your analyses. However if Hayne is anywhere fit enough we must have him in the side, he is the X-Factor, if let loose! I If Hayne was included my backline would most likely be something like the following; Bret Stewart Brett Morris Josh Morris Jarrod Hayne Akuila Uate Jamie Soward Ben Hornby
Shaamus
Guest
Dugan's name shouldn't even come up for Origin. The kid hasn't been able to string more then a hand few of games together. While Minichiello had the position last year, it would be wise for NSW to go with Stewart. He is over his injuries that affected him last year. As for Hayne. The guy has only played 16mins of footy this year. Trying to find him a spot in the team would mean someone else missing out and I don't think us NSW supporters would wanna see either the Morris twins, Uate, Lawrence, Jennings or maybe even King miss out. Considering all these players have the front running to cover 2-5 for NSW. Cross Dugan and Hayne's name off the list for now.
Charles
Guest
Charles
Guest
Dugan should never have been considered for Origin. He is not up to it and proved that last year He does have potential but firstly he needs to get over his injuries which seems to be occurring all the time Brett Stewart is the front runner providing they can find a spot for Hayne who must be in the side, probably as centre