Blues make big call on Origin winger after knee injury
Jasper Bruce and Melissa Woods |
Brian To’o will be selected for the third State of Origin match in a major boost to NSW’s chances of clinching a series win.
Penrith ace To’o went for scans on Saturday after hurting his knee and requiring ice following Thursday night’s thrilling victory over Canterbury.
Results received on Sunday morning showed no major injury, leaving the Panthers to contact NSW and confirm To’o could be selected in the official team on Sunday night.
To’o’s training loads are nevertheless likely to be managed in the lead-up to kick-off in Sydney on July 9, with his fitness now in the hands of Blues medical staff.
NSW have already successfully navigated two injury niggles this series, though, as Payne Haas and To’o recovered from leg problems in time for Origin I and II respectively.
The chance of To’o playing will be music to the ears of coach Laurie Daley after the winger was the Blues’ best in a tight game-two loss.
The four-time premiership winner crossed for three tries and ran for a game-high 229 metres as the Blues’ comeback fell short in Perth.
Should To’o fail to pull up in time for the decider, Jacob Kiraz would likely be called into camp again after To’o’s hamstring issue put him on stand-by for Origin II.
Kiraz is uncapped at Origin level, but has enjoyed a brilliant 18 months with the resurgent Bulldogs.
Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai is also expected to be named in Daley’s team despite landing in hospital with illness and missing Wests Tigers’ loss to Manly on Friday.
A late call-up for Origin II after Mitch Moses’ injury, Tigers playmaker Luai would be permitted to rest until later in the week if required to shake off lingering symptoms.
Aside from To’o and Luai’s fitness concerns, NSW’s only major selection question appears to be around the make-up of the forward pack.
Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu had appeared the likeliest to drop out for Origin III given he was only called up for game two following Mitch Barnett’s knee injury.
But Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy, on staff with NSW as an adviser to Daley, intimated on Sunday that Utoikamanu looked likely to hold his spot in the 17.
“I wouldn’t imagine he’d be left out, to be quite honest, but we’ll see what happens,” Bellamy said.
One-time Origin representative Keaon Koloamatangi has been in strong form for South Sydney this year and looked to be Utoikamanu’s biggest rival for the spot.
He was selected as 19th man for Origin II, but missed the trip to Perth with a facial injury.
Utoikamanu told AAP last week he would understand if Daley chose to shake things up for the decider.
“If they pick me or if they pick someone else, I’m happy. I’m always going to support the Blues,” he told AAP.
“I feel like anyone who gets the opportunity to step into that Blue jersey is going to do the job.”
AAP
