NSW are keeping mum on Robbie Farah’s availability, with captain Paul Gallen confirming those outside the Blues camp won’t know for certain if the hooker will play in State of Origin III until an hour before kick off.
Farah was always a longshot to play after having surgery on his broken hand last week and Michael Ennis is set to replace him in the Blues line-up for the Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Both Farah and Ennis trained with the side in their final hit-out before game three in the captain’s run on Tuesday.
More 2015 State of Origin:
» State of Origin news
» State of Origin fixtures
» State of Origin teams
» State of Origin 2015: Game 3 preview
» Why NSW will win Game 3
» Why the Maroons will win Game 3
In the limited time media were permitted to view the session at Wednesday’s venue, both Farah and Ennis trained at dummy half.
Ennis trained on NSW’s left side with halfback Trent Hodkinson calling the shots while Farah trained on the Blues’ right edge with five-eighth Mitchell Pearce calling the plays.
However Farah did appear affected by his hand injury as he went about his work.
In his traditional press conference on Origin eve, Gallen confirmed Blues coach Laurie Daley was keen to keep any word on Farah under wraps until as late as possible. Under NRL regulations both sides are required to be named an hour before kick-off.
“Laurie will probably wait to an hour before kick off,” Gallen said on Tuesday prior to training.
“Robbie is the only one who knows, you have seen him passing and kicking and carrying on so we will see.
“He will train today, obviously Laurie is going to give him every opportunity to get out there and he probably deserves that, so we will wait and see how he pulls up after today.”
Gallen said the Blues wouldn’t lose much if Ennis was forced to fill in.
“It probably doesn’t make too much difference to me,” he said.
“He has a game plan, we have a game plan we have to stick to and if we stick to that we will be right.
“Mick has been great from day one, he has come in and he hasn’t been shy. He has stepped up and he has been something of a leader in the side as he has with all sides.
“He will be fine, he knows the game plan inside out, he is a professional.”
Jara W
Guest
I think it's a rather polite comment. Ennis should make a much bigger difference to the game than two armed Farah would. He hasn't been up to it this year.
Jara W
Guest
Yep, they've got us all fooled **slow wink**
jd
Guest
at his best Farah is the 2nd best hooker in the Australia, but hte way he's been playing this season i think gals comments are pretty spot on. ^^^
Jay C
Roar Guru
I don't know what schtum is. But from context I gather it is some sort of charades variant. That is a pretty good rap on Farah from his Captain. "Yeah, whatever, if he doesn't play it makes no difference."