Queensland centre Dane Gagai is likely to play in Origin 1 after suffering a finger injury during the Maroons captain run on Tuesday morning.
It’s unclear if Gagai, who became the first winger to win the Wally Lewis medal for player of the series in State of Origin history in 2017, will be able to line up for the Maroons on Wednesday night, but coach Kevin Walters has told the media he doesn’t think his Maroons will be playing without the utility back.
It was earlier reported Gagai had suffered a compound fracture, but the injury is thought to be not as serious as first thought.
If Gagai was to be ruled out, it’s thought Kalyn Ponga will play from the bench, with Cameron Munster shifted to fullback, Anthony Milford to five-eighth, Will Chambers to the wing and Michael Morgan into the centres.
Walters addressed the media at 1pm (AEST), saying he expected Gagai to play.
“(Dane Gagai) will go for X-rays and scans this afternoon, but we expect him to play tomorrow night,” said Walters.
“He came back out and trained with the team when you guys (the media) weren’t there. The doctor had a look at him and luckily he is a hand specialist so we expect him to play.”
Walters said there was no fracture, but rather a dislocation which had broken the skin.
The Maroons have had a horrific build-up to the start of the series.
After losing Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston to representative retirement last year, Cameron Smith announced just weeks before the start of the series that he too would be stepping down from Queensland duties.
Things took another turn for the worst yesterday in the Queensland camp with coach Kevin Walters calling a snap media conference to announce superstar fullback Billy Slater would be withdrawn from Game 1.
Slater’s injury came as a major blow for the Maroons, with Kalyn Ponga and Anthony Milford both flown into camp as the possible replacements.
News this morning suggested Michael Morgan would be the man to step up at fullback, but the injury and potential withdrawal of Gagai throws another spanner in the works as Walters and his coaching staff look to minimise disruptions ahead of Game 1 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Wednesday night.
Walters confirmed the news when talking to the media.
“Michael Morgan will play fullback. Michael is a really mature player and can handle the expectation of playing for the Maroons,” said Walters.
“We all know that Kalyn (Ponga) is going to play Origin at some point. He hasn’t had much preparation though.”
Halfback Ben Hunt is also in serious doubt for Game 1 of the series, with the St George Illawarra Dragons half struggling through the last few weeks with a leg injury although Walters said he will be right to play.
“Yeah, Ben is right to go. He has trained strongly on Sunday and again today. He obviously has some strapping and you can never be sure with a cork, but he will play,” said Walters.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol Congrats on a cheap win mate.
Jewboy
Guest
Can't believe they picked Milford ahead of Ponga ....IMO don't think Milford has shown enough on present form to justify his selection
14-12
Guest
Does it count as an ambush if you see it coming?
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
But any way I look at it QLD still has a good side .disrupted but still a quality side. You can't replace the greats but origin is a team game .
KenoathCarnt
Guest
That is so but regardless we are missing key players with fill in positions against a NSW side that have everyone they want fully fit.
jimmmy
Guest
Gaigai should be more judicious with use of that middle finger. Best saved for the NSW press after the game.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
You can't be serious Carnt. We luv this NSW gonna smash us disrupted preparation stuff it's our endemic quality to rise against adversity ,that's real adversity not " Broncos adversity "mind you .
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Lol I dont even know why this origin is going ahead this is literally Qld's B team. NSW fans getting all excited because they are finally going to win a series against a depleted fill in side. The only thing I am possibly excited for is the no injury count to the Broncos at the end of the game.
3 recalcitrant monkeys
Guest
On point there Griffo and does an absolute shut down on Addo-Carr
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
The ambush is in!
Griffo
Guest
Morgan to play full back according to Kevvie. Hopes Gagai will be alright. If I had to replace him in a hurry I'd get Kyle Feldt. Plays on the right wing, solid body and good dummy half runs, aerial acrobat, and reads defence well.
Raugeee
Guest
I was thinking Boyd flown in, Oates is a better idea - yeah. Ponga to fullback, Morgan to halfback, Milford to bench. If they start Milford at 5/8 or half I will consider not watching, QLD no chance if they go that route. :(
kk
Guest
Have they got a jumper for Alfie. This will be his hardest game ever. Would not like to see him directing play in blue. Could be confusing.
Nat
Roar Guru
Agreed. Why shuffle the entire team around and play people out of position (especially Chambers) when they have very good specialists ready to go.
Don
Roar Rookie
If Gagai is gone then Play; Ponga fullback Holmes wing GI centre Chambers centre Get Oates down now for the wing Munster 5/8 Hunt or Morgan halfback
Scott Pryde
Expert
UPDATE Kevin Walters is set to address the media at 1pm (AEST). About ten minutes from now.
steveng
Roar Rookie
BREAKING: SOO-1 result NSW 34 QLD 0 and Qld players are all injured for game 2 in 7 days time. Walters and the Qld selectors are flabbergasted to the phenomenon that has swept Qld and the total decimation of their squad...ohhh bad luck boys, I really feel sorry for all you 'banana benders' lol NSW are a certainty!
jamesb
Guest
Yep I agree. Qld are specials at 13+. By late afternoon, Scott or some other Roar expert will have a BREAKING article about a virus sweeping through the squad, where half of the players are in doubt. This smells classic Qld ambush.
14-12
Guest
Qld 13+ (pessimistic nsw fan here)
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Next minute, Gagai, Hunt and Slater all play and Smith, Cronk and JT all announce their retirements were just a ploy.