Penrith wait on Martin’s hand as clubs ponder big calls
Scott Bailey and Jasper Bruce |
Liam Martin has laughed off his hand injury as a “bit of carry on”, with the Penrith star confident the issue will not impact his run to the finals.
NRL clubs spent Thursday taking stock of their State of Origin representatives, weighing up whether to back up stars or rest them ahead of the run to the finals.
Martin emerged with the injury of most concern out of Wednesday night, after hurting his right hand in a tackle from Kurt Capewell early and having it strapped.
The second-rower was set to undergo scans late on Thursday afternoon to determine if there was any break, with results expected Friday.
“It’s come good, a bit of a carry on. It’s feeling alright now,” Martin said.
“I had contact straight on it. It didn’t feel good for a few minutes but as the game went on it felt better.”
Martin is not Penrith’s only concern with Brian To’o having played Wednesday’s loss with a heavily strapped knee after a grade-two lateral tear.
The Panthers are yet to decide if all five of their Origin stars will back up against Parramatta on Sunday, but To’o would likely be in the most doubt.
To’o also insisted after the Blues loss he had not been hampered by the injury, after only training properly for the first time in camp two days earlier.
“I was never in doubt. If I was really in doubt I would have put the team first and pulled myself out for someone fit to play,” he said.
“I was mainly worried about the contact. It was a good test through the week to get myself right for the game.
“I’ll be ready (for Penrith). Unless my leg is broken then I will always keep putting on the jersey and keep playing.”
Dolphins No.1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is one Origin player who will not back up on Friday night.
Coach Kristian Woolf waited until arriving in Sydney on Thursday afternoon to make the call and has named Trai Fuller at fullback against Cronulla.
All five of North Queensland’s representatives will likely face Canterbury on Saturday, provided there were no late issues.
The Bulldogs were yet to determine if their four Origin players would back up, giving the quartet most of Thursday off before flying to Townsville.
The Sydney Roosters are planning to have all of their Origin players available to face St George Illawarra on Saturday night, where Valentine Holmes is also set to back up.
Cameron Munster will however miss Melbourne’s match against Newcastle on Saturday, after returning to lead Queensland after the death of his father.
Melbourne flyer Xavier Coates will also be rested.
Brisbane must decide whether to have Payne Haas back up with the bulging disc in his back against Gold Coast.
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is expected to play for the Titans despite his ongoing sternum injury, and may come off the bench on Sunday.
AAP
