Brett Stewart’s back injury has opened the door for a return to NSW fullback for Parramatta’s Jarryd Hayne, but Laurie Daley isn’t short of options.
Stewart, who is the current Blues incumbent, was ruled out for at least a month on Wednesday after suffering a chipped bone following a knee to his back during Manly’s 24-18 win over St George Illawarra on Monday night.
He is certain to miss the State of Origin opener in Sydney on June 5 and may have only one NRL game to prove his fitness for game two in Brisbane.
“The first scan showed nothing but we had to send him back to the doctor,” said Manly coach Geoff Toovey on Wednesday.
“And the scans late in the afternoon showed he’s got a small chip in his back…. so out for probably about a month or so.
“It’s a blow for everyone. It was such a minor thing that happened … it’s a bit of a shock to us.”
NSW coach Laurie Daley had earmarked Josh Dugan for the fullback role at the start of the season.
But with the former Canberra bad boy currently without a club after being sacked by the Raiders, Stewart was set to keep his spot in the side.
But Daley will now be forced into a rethink before naming his first ever NSW side on Sunday, May 26.
Despite being just 25, Hayne is the Blues’ most experienced Origin performer with 16 appearances to his name since making his debut on the wing in 2007.
The Eels co-captain has played most of his career in the custodian role and scooped the Dally M Medal in 2009 following a stunning run of form that helped his side reach the grand final.
However, he has only played fullback twice for the Blues under Craig Bellamy during the 2010 series, won 3-0 by Queensland, and played on the wing in all three games last year.
Should Daley opt to move Hayne to the back, South Sydney’s Nathan Merritt and Newcastle’s Akuila Uate will be the leading candidates to fill the the vacant wing spot.
Uate played in games one and two last year but was axed for the decider in Brisbane.
Merritt is still waiting to make his Origin debut despite having 146 tries to his name from 208 NRL appearances.
But he was out-shone by the Knights’ flyer in last month’s City-Country clash in Coffs Harbour with Uate scoring and creating a try with a brilliant pass in the Country side’s victory.
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire reiterated his backing for Merritt and said he was more than ready for Origin.
“I have no doubts that he can handle it,” Maguire said on Wednesday.
“He does it every week for South Sydney. If he gets the opportunity he will definitely take it.”
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St George Illawarra winger Brett Morris is the latest NSW player to be placed in doubt for the State of Origin opener on June 5 after undergoing knee surgery.
Morris injured his left knee during the first half of Monday’s defeat to Manly at Kogarah and had arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to remove torn cartilage from the joint.
“We expect his rehabilitation time frame to be between two to four weeks dependent on how he recovers from surgery,” said Dragons high performance director Andrew Gray.
The news means Morris will definitely miss Sunday’s clash against the Gold Coast and Parramatta in round 10.
NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his side on Sunday, May 26 after Sunday’s round 11 matches and has already lost fullback Brett Stewart to a back injury.
There is also an injury cloud hanging over skipper Paul Gallen who sustained medial ligament damage to his knee last Sunday.
Gallen has been named to face the Wests Tigers on Friday but is rated as extremely doubtful to run out at Allianz Stadium.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
He deserves these big games.
Matt Harrison
Guest
Minichiello should defiently be fullback! In form, and always reliable!
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Balance!!!
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Not many players are able to step like Ferguson and he can of both feet, seems weird but he can beat most one on one, it's a shame it took him nearly being sacked to wake up to him self. Needs consistency and a good defensive showing over the next 2 week's. I apologise for using that term as it could mean anything.
Haradasun
Guest
I would go Michael Gordon at fullback and Hayne on the wing. Gordon is in good form and will be a solid custodian. Hayne makes me nervous at fullback though his defence has been good this year. Or as a curve ball, how about Idris in the centres and Josh Morris on a wing? Idris has actually been pretty good this year!
Will Sinclair
Guest
Surely they go with the City Origin fullback - James Tedesco. If he's getting picked in City v Country, then he's clearly next in line, right? Right?
JezRu
Roar Pro
Robinson gets a run for me. Fullback: Hayne R Wing: Ferguson L Wing: Robinson
planko
Roar Guru
He good on the roof drinking breezers .....
DM
Guest
Spectator I'm not necessarily pro or anti Ferguson, but what exactly is the "x-factor" that Ferguson has? It's a nice cliche, but what does having the "x-factor" mean in terms of real and tangible football attributes?
turbodewd
Guest
Uate was a defensive liability last year. Both under the high ball and in terms of failing to mark his man.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
I'm so shattered Brett, I hope it's all a conspiracy. I wouldnt consider Tafua until he plays another semi final as his last was not good at all, however I get a feeling the only change will be hayne to fullback and Tafua on the wing, personally I'd be bringing in Ferguson, big fast and has x factor, lets see how he goes in the next 2 week's.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Let just pray stewart gets better as we have never one a game with Hayne at fullback
RMC
Roar Pro
Michael Gordon could play wing or fullback very effectively. His goal kicking would be an added bonus. After a promising debut for the Blues he has become somewhat of a forgotten man after two injury riddled seasons Reece Robinson is in outstanding form at fullback, but has played most of his career on the wing. He scored a hat trick for the Indigenous All Stars on the wing. Nathan Merritt consistently plays well for the Rabbits. He could easily slot in on the wing. I wonder if he could be found out defensively though Uate has played a lot of representative football. But last year he was caught out in defence. Great player, but the Blues must have him practise his defence with his centre or Thurston, Inglis and Boyd will show him up again
Lancey5times
Guest
Since when has fullback on fullback been an actual matchup? Rugby League is too simple for this to occur
Worlds biggest
Guest
Hayne for fullback, Merritt on the wing.
Pomoz
Roar Rookie
I can't believe he keeps getting overlooked. Have a look at his stats for this season. Metres Run Hayne 1142 Stewart 615 Inglis 1402 Slater 1089 Gordon 1342 Missed tackles Hayne 7 Stewart 3 Inglis 10 Slater 11 Gordon 4 He is second to Inglis for metres run in a team that is not as good as Souths and second to Stewart on missed tackles, again in a team with poorer defence. It is a no brainer. He has played Origin before and is the form fullback in NSW.
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Well hopefully brett Stewart is right for game 2. Daley said he thought that Haynes best position at origin level is wing, however he will probably be slotted to fullback until brett Stewart is good to go. Don't be shocked if he is chosen (remember Trex was chosen in the back end of suspension for game 1 and the back end of a back injury for game 3) the backline will probably be: 1 Hayne 2 Merritt 5 Uate or taufau
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Prob
Dragons Forever
Guest
1. Hayne 2. B Morris ( Uate on stand by ) 5. Tafua
Sideline Commentator
Guest
I've been saying this for days. The full-back issue is the biggest for the blues at the moment with these injuries. It will be: 1. Hayne 2. Uate 3. Morris 4. Jennings 5. Morris or 1. Hayne 2. Uate 3. Morris 4. Jennings 5. Merritt Don' t be all that surprised if it's Gidley, Hayne, Jennings, Morris, Morris (Uate, [Merritt]) though.