Mystery surrounds Jack de Belin’s fitness just two weeks out from the NSW State of Origin team announcement.
The Blues hopeful was pulled after just nine minutes in the second half of Sunday’s 24-10 NRL loss to South Sydney though St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor refused to reveal any details including the nature or severity of the problem.
The back-rower did not train during the week because of a hip pointer injury and McGregor suggested it was a mistake to let him play.
Whether he will miss any game time remains unknown after McGregor was evasive when asked about his star forward.
“Jack was one of them guys that didn’t train all week and played pretty much no minutes,” McGregor said.
“We used two interchanges on it. It’s a bit of a lesson there.”
Asked about the exact nature of the injury, McGregor bizarrely refuses to elaborate.
“I can’t tell you that … It’s on his body,” he said.
De Belin got through 28 minutes against the Bunnies on Sunday but didn’t have his usual impact.
It was a worrying sign after his second spell was cut short and it clearly wasn’t McGregor’s plan to use him that way.
It’s unclear if he’ll be available to take on Canberra on Sunday and should de Belin miss any game time, it would cause a headache for NSW coach Brad Fittler so close to game one.
De Belin was all but certain to be picked for the June 6 Origin series opener and with Wade Graham (hamstring) racing the clock to be fit, an injury to the Red V enforcer is the last thing the Blues need.
godragonsgo
Guest
I would be very happy with that.
Remo Shankar
Roar Pro
Couldn't agree more on Graham - he's part of the 'poor character' group that Fittler keeps alluding to. If Fittler ends up picking him and Blake Ferguson, he loses a little credibility in my eyes based on what he's been sprucing leading up to this origin....
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
OK yes, I'd have him at 5/8 but not in the backrow where he's likely to come out of the line for no reason. he has great kicking game and ball playing skills, I'm still stinging from those poor choices in defense he made at a time when NSW desperately needed a series win. Being harsh on them is part and partial of NSW origin that these players should understand, if you don't do your job properly, you'll be dropped. He made a mistake in game 2, and did the same thing in game 3, apparently is not learning something..
Matt
Guest
It’s a damn Dragon smokescreen again. Just pick him Fittler. Then he will be assessed independently and if he is deemed unfit so be it. If he is fit, stick the Blue jumper on. If he is not, advise the NRL that he is then unfit to wear either Blue or Red&White.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Spot on. Wade Graham was horrible for NSW last year. And hasn't done much this year at the Sharks.
SteveSyd
Guest
The only Dragons players worthy of an Origin spot for me are Frizell and Hunt. Debellin is now way up to that level and would be a big mistake. I also can't believe all the hype around Mcinnes. Cook and Karosau are classes above him if they want 2 hookers which would also be a mistake. Cook is an 80 minute player and the bench must be 4 mobile forwards, 1 or 2 of which can slot into dummy half should he get injured.
Greg
Guest
Graham scored 4 tries in a World Cup game and Meninga obviously rates him enough to be picked in the World Cup final. if you're one of the best back rowers in Australia it's safe to assume you're one of the best back rowers in NSW.
Emcie
Roar Guru
You're a smart man Nat, too many people take the easy route and just believe the scapegoat stories dished up. Graham was clearly a step above the rest of his team mates
Nat
Roar Guru
"Graham Graham Graham"
Emcie
Roar Guru
The whole team was poor in those two games, at least Graham was trying to do something. I think you're being way too harsh on him, there are a number of people are even suggesting that he fills a "running five eighth" type roll based on how dangerous he can be
Nat
Roar Guru
I thought he tried hard. A couple of quality kicks and rushing defence. It was just unlucky he couldn't blindside a one-eyed guy.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I agree with that Ken but this article is about JDB’s injury so a little bit of hyperbole about his origin prospects is understandable. This article has nothing to do with Graham yet apparently all of NSW is sweating over his return from injury...? These sorts of comments about Graham are bobbing up all over the place.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Obviously you didn't see the poor decisions graham made last year which resulted in 1 qld try each in games 2 and 3. He should be overlooked, he had his shot! Someone else should be picked but definitely NOT graham!
KenW
Guest
De Belin wasn't a certainty either, he's playing in a competitive position and has no incumbency. I don't like seeing Dragons go down but from a NSW perspective he's easily covered - we've got backrowers coming out of our ears. For all the reasons you mentioned though it shouldn't be Graham replacing him. .
Emcie
Roar Guru
Graham was fine last year, stop spreading lies!
The Barry
Roar Guru
Why is Graham labelled an origin certainty all over the place. He was terrible last year, hasn’t set the world on fire this year and he’s carrying an injury. There must be 5-6 edge backrowers in better nick and in front of him. Although I read Fittler talking Radley up as an Origin bolter on the weekend so if that’s the coach’s thinking, anything is possible I guess.