NSW halfback Adam Reynolds has been ruled out of next week’s State of Origin III with a a pinched nerve in his neck related to a shoulder injury, with Penrith fullback Matt Moylan called up to replace him in the Blues side.
The NSW halfback failed to train at the Blues Coffs Harbour base on Wednesday, with utility Jack Bird filling in, however NSW are yet to name a replacement for the clash at ANZ Stadium.
Reynolds injured his shoulder in State of Origin II.
» Full Queensland and NSW teams for Origin
ABC’s Jen Browning is reporting Moylan will start from the bench, with Jack Bird presumably moving to the starting lineup in the halves, but there’s been no official confirmation of this.
Reynolds struggled with the complaint in South Sydney’s loss to North Queensland last weekend and the injury hasn’t improved as well as NSW medical staff had hoped.
Reynolds has now been ruled out of game three dead rubber at ANZ Stadium next Wednesday.
Jack Bird could slot in alongside James Maloney in a makeshift halves pairing. The duo played together in the halves earlier this year for Country Origin.
Matt Moylan could earn a recall to the Blues side as a bench utility after being dumped as fullback for the final game of the series.
But Moylan could also slot into the halves with Maloney, with Bird staying on the bench as the Blues attempt to avoid a 3-0 series clean sweep.
The other options for New South Wales include former 7s Mitchell Pearce or Trent Hodkinson.
Reynolds’ loss is a blow for the Blues, who looked to be persevering with the Rabbitoh until this blow. He was long-touted as a possible Blues halfback, but hadn’t earned the opportunity until this year, despite his club form being below his peaks of previous years.
At this stage it’s not yet known when Laurie Daley will name the replacement player.
With AAP
Oingo Boingo
Guest
Fergo offers nuttin full stop ,the most overrated player in the blues camp at the moment.
Agent11
Guest
....*tumbleweed*.... *Wolf howls in the background*
toputz
Guest
what about Josh Dugan to 5/8?%^&$%^
Joel
Roar Rookie
I'm glad they brought Moylan back in. He's been there for the first two games, he won't need to learn the plays in a hurry. I like Bird at 6, Moylan is a playmaker in his own right and should be good off the bench. Those two with Tedesco on the field at the same time will be good fun to watch.
Alex
Guest
Ferguson offers nothing off the bench aside from protection for an outside back. The ideal bench utility is a ball players like Jack Bird. Someone who can inject himself and others into the contest.
Jason Lewis
Guest
I don't know why nobody has mentioned this and maybe I have no idea but here goes. Maloney half, moylan 5/8, bird and jennings centres, dugan wing and ferguson to the bench. Dugan to me seems an ideal origin winger - good reader of play, good one on one defender, can defuse a bomb and doesn't need to pass much. Ideal for making those early hitups after a kick.
soapit
Guest
but this year isnt looking in good enough form dean
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Yep, the same Hastings that was outscoring every other halfback except Moses Mybe in Supercoach earlier in the year before the rift at the club.
danwain
Guest
Are we talking about the same Hastings?
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Their club form has been fine.
soapit
Guest
you can make an educated guess form club form tho
Bluey
Guest
He he he very good!
Rockin Rocks
Guest
If Daley has a brain, he calls Andrew Johns and asks "who should be our number 7 for this game". If he's sober Daley will get his answer.
PNG Broncos fan88
Guest
@ Alex - Bulldogs and Roosters are Sydney clubs, as noted with the plural use '..they also passed on..' @ andrew - 1. we are talking about Origin not club career - 2. what part of 'QLD on end of NSW 3-peat' did you not understand? Of course they lost in 2005
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Have you had your crystal ball out James? No one knows if they're up to it, until they're given a shot at it.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
That's... not a really good combo at all.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
So what you meant was club, singular, not clubs. Not sure why you would say "Sydney clubs" when you just meant the Roosters...
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I felt Bird was destined to play 5/8 for the Sharks from the opening round of the season. Funny how it works, well not really, if you're a Blues fan. While i generally don't like rep players chosen out of position, this could be the accidental slice of genius that gets NSW moving.
andrew
Guest
And didn't NSW crush QLD in that series (2005)?
andrew
Guest
Oh well if a player manager says it, its gospel.... 7 years into his Cowboys career he had a losing record. Thurston supremacy didn't happen over night And he had a well established future immortal at 6 in Origin. James Maloney is solid but not in the same class as D. Lockyer