Michael Maguire is facing the toughest start imaginable to life as NSW coach, with Nathan Cleary joining Tom Trbojevic on the sidelines for the entirety of State of Origin.
Cleary limped from the field in Penrith’s 16-10 win over Canterbury on Friday night, and he had scans on Saturday evening to confirm he has re-injured his right hamstring.
The Panthers confirmed on Sunday morning Cleary had sustained a Grade 2 hamstring tear, ruling him out for eight weeks and the first two games of the Origin series.
The Blues are set to enter camp in a little over a fortnight.
The halfback’s injury came at the same time that scans confirmed Trbojevic would miss seven weeks for Manly with his hamstring tear, ruling him out of Origin I and II.
Mitch Moses would ordinarily be the frontrunner to replace two-time Clive Churchill Medallist Cleary, but he has his own injury woes. The Parramatta playmaker is some chance of returning from a foot injury against Melbourne next Sunday, but is far from a certainty to play.
If he does not feature in that match, Maguire will have only one game to look at him against South Sydney on May 25 before he names his first team.
Nicho Hynes would be another option for NSW, given he is already viewed as an option at five-eighth along with Jarome Luai and Matt Burton.
Hynes missed Cronulla’s Saturday night showdown with the Storm in Melbourne with a minor calf strain, denting his hopes of getting a Blues call-up.
Fellow fullback-turned-centre Latrell Mitchell has reportedly considered making himself unavailable for NSW amid South Sydney’s horror start to the season.
Bradman Best celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)
Stephen Crichton could return to the side at centre, while Incumbent Bradman Best‘s chance of holding his spot are firming.
Kotoni Staggs would be another option, while Maguire could play Burton or Zac Lomax at centre.
Souths star Cameron Murray is also off the selection table after he suffered a hip flexor complaint during their Round 9 loss to Penrith and would be out for six to eight weeks, ruling him out of the State of Origin series opener and possibly game two in Melbourne.
Murray has been one of NSW’s best in recent years and his absence opens the door or Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi or Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu to step up.
Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen‘s chances of making his debut as a bench utility have been curtailed by a broken leg which has ruled him out until June.
Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco assured of keeping his spot.
After two straight years of series defeats at the hands of Billy Slater’s rejuvenated Queenslanders and the exit of Fittler as coach, the Blues are certain to field a new-look side when the 2024 interstate battle kicks off at Accor Stadium on June 5.
Last year’s team
Origin III
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Bradman Best
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Cody Walker
7 Mitchell Moses
8 Jake Trbojevic
9 Damien Cook
10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Cameron Murray
14 Isaah Yeo
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Reece Robson
17 Clint Gutherson
The Blues overhauled their line-up for game three last year and they recorded a consolation 24-10 win on home turf.
From that side, hooker Damien Cook is all but certain to be omitted this time around after a drop in form from the veteran Rabbitoh while Souths teammate Cody Walker and Knights forward Tyson Frizell have likely played their last match for the Blues.
Only winger Brian To’o and forwards Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo could be considered automatic selections from the Origin III side with Maguire failing to give James Tedesco a guarantee recently when asked whether the skipper would again be lining up at fullback.
The spine
Cleary is getting back to his best after his early season was disrupted by a hamstring injury but now he is again in doubt after it flared up in the win over Canterbury. Panthers teammate Jarome Luai could return as a playmaker with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes and Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton mounting strong selection cases and Mitchell Moses hopeful of returning in time.
Moses is an outside chance of making an early return from a broken foot in time for game one but it would be a risk to then pitch him into the Origin cauldron.
Tedesco has been steady at fullback for the Roosters but Penrith’s Dylan Edwards has been overshadowing him at club level to mount another strong claim to the NSW No.1 jersey.
At hooker, Reece Robson played his first two Origins last year and is vying with Api Koroisau and Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey for the starting job.
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC)
The backs
Even if he makes himself available after speculation has swirled that he will pull out of the selection race, Mitchell is running out of time to show he is worth another run while Trbojevic would have been a certain starter at centre if not for his latest hamstring drama.
Bradman Best scored two tries on debut in game three last year and has been getting back to his best for Newcastle this season while Canterbury recruit Stephen Crichton is another big-game performer in the mix.
On the wings, To’o will get one jersey while Lomax is mounting a serious challenge to depose Josh Addo-Carr for the other flank with rugby-bound Roosters speedster Joseph Suaalii another option.
The pack
Haas will spearhead the Blues up front, Yeo and Martin will bring experience but the other six forward spots in the run-on side and interchange are up for grabs.
Murray’s hip problem is great news for Queensland as the South Sydney skipper has been one of the Blues’ busiest workers in recent seasons.
Rabbitohs second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi impressed in his Origin debut last year while Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu has been in strong form in recent weeks.
Maguire is reportedly considering a more-experienced hard worker like Cronulla veteran Cameron McInnes while the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo, Hudson Young, Jacob and Daniel Saifiti, and Stefano Utoikamanu are on the long list of candidates.
Liam Martin. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Possible Blues team
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Bradman Best
4 Stephen Crichton
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nathan Cleary/Mitchell Moses
8 Payne Haas
9 Api Koroisau
10 Junior Paulo
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
14 Nicho Hynes
15 Cameron McInnes
16 Haumole Olakau’atu
17 Stefano Utoikamanu
18 Matt Burton
Brett Allen
Roar Rookie
1) Teddy (c) 2) To’o 3) Best 4) Crichton 5) Lomax 6) Cody 7) Moses 8) Haas 9) Koriosau 10) Jurbo 11) Crichton 12) Martin 13) Yeo 14) Koloamatangi 15) Olakawatu 16) Leniu 17) Robson
London Panther
Roar Rookie
I think this kid is different to Mullins. His game is built on making tough tackles and kicking the ball. But without an experienced half it might be a bridge too far. Whoever it is, it looks ugly…
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I forgot about Luai. :unhappy: First picked now. Keary is definitely a 6, reluctant to play for NSW, and retiring at season's end, but the cupboard is getting bare, so he has to be considered.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I somehow forgot Luai. He's back in.
Dutski
Roar Guru
(Sorry, reply meant for Tim’s comment)
Dutski
Roar Guru
If this season and last have shown us anything about Keary it’s that he is not a 7. I’d rather Luai in the 7 alongside Burton than Keary.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
NSW cannot repeat the Jarrod Mullen experience. The halves probably have to be Burton and Keary, with Brooks, Hastings, and Townsend the only realistic backups. Maybe you could pair Katoa with Keary, but Queensland would be merciless.
London Panther
Roar Rookie
With Reynolds definitely gone, looking like Cleary is too, Moses not back yet and Nicho potentially with a calf issue, the hopes of a State could rest on the 19 year shoulders of Isaiya Katoa…. He has the game for Origin, and if we had a dominant and experienced 6 in the team (like Maloney when Nathan first appeared) I would be blooding him now…
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Best has been average, Mitchell unknow , Staggs solid , gets his winger away and good defender.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
18 rounds to go, don't shoot your load too early, always disappoints someone!
Cam
Roar Rookie
Maybe. But I can't argue with the names of previous winners the Dally M has thrown up, or the current leaders (Hynes, Edwards, Kikau, Turbo, DCE). Cleary on current form sits at 62nd, seems about right. I'm guessing he won't be moving up the ladder any time soon :laughing: :laughing:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
The Dally M has about a much credibility as a Russian election. Cleary is a big game player, like Munster with Qld.
SPM
Roar Rookie
Agree Edward’s at the back will give NSW a great No 1 now and into the future to overlook him may be a detriment to the team moving forward
SPM
Roar Rookie
I said it before last years SOO he is too injury prone ( due to carrying manly for too long) he is a great player no doubt but this is a blessing for NSW they don’t need a repeat of Turbo being injured and not having a bench able to cover the loss and creating a point of attack for QLD
quoinkey
Roar Rookie
Tommy should release his greatest hits DVD this year whilst people still remember who who is.
Cam
Roar Rookie
You didn't select Burton, is that because you want him available for the Dogs :laughing:.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Manly fans can breathe again.
Cam
Roar Rookie
Is it just me, or does it feel like Cleary has done SFA this season? I know he has missed games, but I can’t recall him doing anything even when he was on the park. Nate (6 points) is currently 62nd on the Dally M ladder and sits behind Hynes (24 points) who is in second place behind Edwards. Still a ways to go, and the Panthers will want Cleary playing his best footy at the back end of the season, but I’m sure Madge would like to see a dominant display tonight vs the Dogs.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
There are better fullbacks around then Tedesco. Trbojevic is unlikely to be fit enough, only a few weeks to go. I'd play Edwards. Like to see Hynes get a run but not with Cleary in the form he's in.
langparker
Roar Rookie
Aah, so that’s why Maguire got the job, introducing a new strategy by selecting 50 players for the first origin game, very sneaky. QLD, of course, can’t reciprocate because everyone knows we’re lucky to have 13 NRL players to select from then we have to go and throw in no-names from the HostPlus cup to make up the numbers. Any scrubber who’s got a pair of boots can get a run in the outside backs for the maroons like Ikin, O’Davis, Sing, Kiss Shearer etc. Doesn’t matter, we’re no chance this year, gee that NSW squad looks awesome on paper and a perennial Origin victor in Bennie Elias has tipped a blues clean sweep. I better renew my netflix subscription so I don’t have to watch the carnage.