NSW skipper Paul Gallen faces a nervous 24 hours with a knee injury and possible suspension threatening his involvement in the State of Origin series opener following a dramatic 34-28 NRL loss to South Sydney on Monday night.
As if the sight of a Queensland star Greg Inglis scoring a brilliant hat-trick for the Rabbitohs wasn’t enough to ensure a sleepless night for NSW coach Ricky Stuart, Gallen’s shocking evening out would have done the trick.
He is booked in for scans early Tuesday morning after hobbling from the field just before the hour mark – his Origin hopes now in the balance.
“I just went to take off and something clicked in my knee,” Gallen said.
“It’s not too bad, I’m walking around alright now, it’s definitely not my ACL which is good – just check and see how the scan is tomorrow.
“They think posterior cruciate at worst.
“I’ve never had it happen before – it was a bit scary.”
Even if he overcomes that hurdle, Gallen faces another after being put on report for kneeing Dave Taylor in the fourth minute – though that seemed the least of his concerns.
“I didn’t even know why it was put on report. He had hold of my leg,” said Gallen – one of three players along with Matt King and Josh Starling to be put on report.
“I thought it was a bit of a joke some of those things being put on report out there tonight.”
Already without certain selections Kurt Gidley, Danny Buderus and Michael Jennings due to injury, the loss of his inspirational captain Gallen for the May 23 match could be the setback from which the Blues fail to recover.
The one bright spot for NSW would have been the performance of likely five-eighth Todd Carney – who scored one breathtaking solo try from a scrum and played a leading role in three others.
But his heroics were no match for Inglis, who almost single-handedly stopped Cronulla’s winning streak at six in his most dominant display since being shifted to the No.1 jumper.
His hat-trick – which started with a powerful fifth minute effort when he charged through a host of defenders from short range – was just the start of it.
He also set up another for Nathan Merritt – who scored a double to open his 2012 account – while two try-saving tackles in defence completed a standout all-around game.
“That’s (the involvement) you want from your fullback and he’s working hard at that,” Souths coach Michael Maguire said.
“We’ve spoken to him about the improvement he’s still got in his game so we’re looking forward to that too.
“Once Greg found his feet I knew if we got Greg the ball he could so special things which he’s done all his career.”
Added Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan:
“If they don’t have their fullback (Inglis), we win.
“The tries he comes up with and the plays he comes up with. We knew where they were coming but it’s hard to handle.
“I thought it was a great battle (with Carney) and I thought he was great tonight, Todd.”
scott
Guest
If you're going to play that card oikee, the least you could do is spell indigenous correctly.
Bob
Guest
Gallen wont miss origin because he wears sky blue.
Meesta Cool
Guest
You are only kiddin hey oikee. go on mate this is no time to start liking Manly or being nice to their supporters..
Mango Jack
Guest
How dem banjo lessons going, oikee?
Mals
Roar Rookie
QLD have definitely had more indigenous players than NSW but off the top of my head here are some that played for the Blues:- Greg Bird, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Jamal Idris, Timana Tahu, John Ferguson, Laurie Daley, Ricky Walford, Cliffy Lyons, John Simon, Scott Gourley, Ken Nagas, Steve Ella
Renegade
Guest
Well that makes sense mate and i see your point of view. To be honest i can't really figure out what your saying in half your posts lol and secondly i'm just firing back as a passionate NSWelshmen ;)
PLANKO
Guest
I have noticed you are completely avoiding my point MUNDINE your not claiming him. LOL there is nothing attractive about QLD. Maybe that is because until they make it in football they can't afford to leave.
Mals
Guest
Oikee, are your boys playing in the bananas in pyjamas outfit this Friday? Hope so cause that would mean Manly can play in Maroon & confuse all the drunk QLDers into barracking for them ;-)
oikee
Guest
Is that it, 2, your glorious past, 2 players.? Let me see, we had Artie, Big Mal, Curry, Scott, Backhoe, Renouf, Thurston Friday, Taquiri Hodges Petro Hunt Inglis Lam their is more, but i am running outta Merits(Merrit) sore point their, a Queensland legend if he was born near the border. :) Look, the NSW border is basically Queensland. Everyone wants to be a Queenslander, its no secret. The indigernous players cant wait to play their first game in Queensland.
Tony Archers Maroon Underwear
Guest
Lawn bowls? insert emoticon....
Meesta Cool
Guest
Yup , Oikiee's rule appears to be fact. Gallen got no case to answer for blatantly kneeing, two others suspended for lesser efforts. You got it right again mate. it DOES depend WHO at this time of year...
oikee
Guest
Mals, i will catch up with you one day, when the Broncos are on the ropes. Might not be anytime soon. ;) Just answering Ceebow, yes it would be great remembering the 4 series you were up, but mate, i am not that old, i cant remember that series. ;) Got him a beauty Mals hey. Dont take offence, i am only stirring ya mate. Gee whiz, i have put away the rose glasses, i am now hoping NSWales can find a couple of half decent players so once we get to the bakers dozen of series wins, you might have a win yourself. In the meantime, here is looking at you kid. ;) Its Character building hey Mals, being down and out, with no hope, nothing to hang onto, only a dream. :) I lived that dream. Cheers Mals. Good luck Friday. I wont have anything bad to say about Manly this week, i will let you have your glory if you win.
oikee
Guest
Yeah yeah yeah, i struck a nerve, read Renegades reply post. Gee whiz, you guys are starting to really show some passion. Just be careful, tony archer has got no underwear on above ya. Hey look, i can see the moon from here, no its Tony.
oikee
Guest
What happened, you get bored with your millions, Cartier run outta Caviar. :) Hope the lawn bowls is doing it for you. hahahha.
oikee
Guest
Yeah yeah yeah, read my post above to renegade. Gallen is rubbish, rubbish i tell ya.
oikee
Guest
Gallen is actually getting a compliment from me. If you knew anything about rugby league (which i myself are questioning Renegade) dont fall into that trap son, you will look pretty stupid. Take a leaf outta Mals book(the Manly fan on here), he knows, so if you knew anything about rugby league, the players ueenslanders hate the most are the good ones, Joey Johns, Blues legend, O'conner, Legend, Geyer, Legend. Ask any Queenslander who we hate, they are the good players, the superstars you might say. Again, i say, Gallen is a pain in the perverbial. :)
PLANKO
Guest
Mundine was a leper noone wants to touch him still. Even after all these years he is still contagious. Lyons , Daley I think there is some Indig in those 2 Oikee !
oikee
Guest
I have a tawny in my paws, is why i am laughing at your post. Alright, it is funny. Yes, good logic, Taylor gets kicked in the face and is suspended. You a welshman by any chance. No wonder the country is going backwards. :)
Mals
Guest
Ah yes Mr Oikee. His positives are that he comes up with some creative ideas about rugby league & is a passionate rugby league supporter (well Broncos & Queensland anyway). His negatives are that he is never able to congratulate the opposition when his team loses & he is constantly bagging Sydney based NRL teams.
ceebow
Guest
qlders like oikee r very loud in victory and laugh and make fun of nsw supporters, but when they are in defeat they are among the most emotional cry babies of all time. i remember when we were 4 series up all you could hear out qlders was either dead silence or constant complaints about how the game is run against qlders cause its mostly run by nswelshmen blah blah blah, but atm they are winning they are just hypocrites. then you have (who i respect just as a player) seems to have early onset dementia complaining about james tamou, buut conveniently leaving out the very players that played for qld in the same exact position as james tamou. i guess the hypocricy also spans out from just some of the fans.