Injured NSW forwards Liam Martin and Cameron Murray are on track to play in the must-win second State of Origin match but question marks remain over teammate Latrell Mitchell, who missed media commitments on Wednesday.
The experienced Blues trio are racing to be fit for the clash at Suncorp Stadium on June 21, after entering camp on Tuesday.
Martin suffered a category-one head knock playing for Penrith on Saturday night that rules him out of contact training until captain’s run.
South Sydney’s Murray and Mitchell are nursing groin and calf injuries respectively, with the latter missing the series opener through his niggle.
All three have become Blues stalwarts in recent years but NSW coach Brad Fittler admitted on Tuesday they were “risks” for Game II despite being named in the team.
The Souths duo ran at training on Monday and were approved by club medical staff to enter camp, though coach Jason Demetriou told AAP there were still hurdles to clear this week.
Neither is expected to train with the Blues until Sunday, only one day before the side flies to Brisbane in a bid to level the Origin series behind enemy lines.
Murray is backing himself to recover from the injury he suffered in the Rabbitohs’ win over Gold Coast in round 14.
“I don’t have a crystal ball but I’m confident I can be there,” Murray told AAP.
“I ran today for the third time since I did it and I’m obviously progressing nicely.
“I’m focusing on what I can control. That’s just about being diligent with my rehab and my prep and obviously connecting with the boys.
“It’s about making sure that come Wednesday, I didn’t die wondering and I gave myself every opportunity.”
Mitchell was a no-show at the Blues’ whole squad media day in Coogee on Wednesday, instead spending the afternoon with club physiotherapists.
“From what I can see he’s doing well. Hopefully he’s okay,” Murray said.
Blues captain James Tedesco believed Mitchell would line up on Wednesday along with Murray and Martin.
“They all did some testing today and looked pretty good,” the fullback told AAP.
“I know they’re all doing everything they can to make sure they’re fresh and healthy.”
Martin was cleared to enter camp by Panthers medical staff, who assessed him 48 hours after his head knock against the Sydney Roosters.
Liam Martin. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
The second-rower has not suffered concussion symptoms but is still subject to the 11-day stand-down policy instituted for category-one head knocks this season.
Martin set the standard for the Blues with a physical performance in the series opener but cannot participate in contact training until Tuesday, the day before the game.
The dual premiership-winner is looking for positives amid his absence from the tackle drills, though.
“I’m not too worried about it,” Martin told AAP.
“You do that much in the pre-season and in the early months (of the season). You’ve got enough in the bank that you don’t really need to be doing too much at this time of year.
“It’s probably going to work in my favour, if anything, just resting a bit.”
Souths Die Hard
Roar Rookie
Agreed, and Qld have been claiming for decades that their players were injured and were in doubt to play. NSW are now doing this lame act, and all the Muppets are still buying the misinformation and carrying on like babies. Drama equals SOO revenue raising.
Beast
Roar Rookie
Well… I’m no league player, not since I was a kid, but, I am a cyclist, 3 State Champion podiums in the road race with the best being a win. I know a little about fitness. I say that, not to brag but to add some credibility to my opinion… which is.. Latrell has such a strong level of base fitness that any losses will be negligible.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Has Latrell not run since injuring his calf on the 30th May? For a bloke who never looks in great shape, that is a decent amount of conditioning he will have lost. Keep in mind the last game he played was way back in R12 when the Rabbits were pumped by the Eels 36-16 and Trell had a forgettable game with 9 runs for 60m and a heap of missed tackles, it is a big ask to play a sudden-death Origin at Lang Park. Call me crazy, but I'd have selected Crichton in the centres. The blokes is fit, in form, was one of the Blues best in Game 1 and importantly, will be playing in his preferred position and is able to participate in the training camp.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Is the general consensus that Mitchell makes that much of a difference above and beyond Crichton and Graham that he's worth this level of latitude? Is his appearance going to win the game for NSW? This was said in '21? that him missing the finals was the reasons Souths didn't get win, but then he was in the following year and again they didn't get the cookies. I'm not entirely convinced.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Campbell Graham is a great footballer but I don't think he is at the stage where he can be afforded the same latitude as those four :thumbup:
The Spectator
Roar Guru
What injury has Turbo got cause nothing has been mentioned in the press? Mitchel is the type of player you give every second to get right and play and C Grahyis a rookie and needs to run with the squad unlike the three fitness concerned players so it’s all as per program except no flu or viral infection in the Q camp yet , mmm.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Wasn't Freddy complaining about QLD being advantaged by having an extra day of training? This seems much worse if training is such an advantage
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
We're toast! On the up side we should get someone next year that can hopefully coach.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Yep, especially when they can't train with the squad and there is a short camp to get combinations working. Freddy was ruthless in the leadup to Game 1 when Campbell Graham couldn't participate in the the sessions, but has backtracked for Game 2. Billy Slater on the other hand left Cobbo out because he had been placed on restrictive training. The Maroons squad 1-19 are all cleared for full training.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
With Martin, Murray, Latrell and Turbo all under a fitness clouds, it’s a risky selection overall.