While Blues coach Michael Maguire is dealing with a growing casualty ward, Billy Slater also has a few big injury headaches ahead of the series opener at Accor Stadium.
The Maroons will be without some major names for Game 1, with Cameron Munster unavailable while Tom Gilbert and Tino Fa’asuamalaeui have suffered season-ending injuries.
Tom Flegler (shoulder), meanwhile, is also expected to miss the entire series, as is the case for Kalyn Ponga (Lisfranc injury) and AJ Brimson (groin).
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The injury to Munster leaves North Queensland co-captain Tom Dearden as the leading contender to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, although last year’s grand final hat-trick standout Ezra Mam is another option.
Elsewhere, the injuries up front could see Parramatta’s J’Maine Hopgood and Brisbane’s Corey Jensen make their State of Origin debuts.
There were concerns Reece Walsh could be in doubt after missing Brisbane’s game last week with a knee injury but he has been named to play on Sunday and will line up at fullback if he gets through unscathed.
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Source Agencies
