Blues fullback Dylan Edwards has reportedly pulled up with quad tightness that could rule him out of Game I, prompting Michael Maguire to call the Roosters and ask James Tedesco to be on standby.
Channel Nine rugby league reporter Danny Weidler dropped the bombshell on social media site X.
Edwards is confident he will be fit to play in Wednesday’s series opener but a decision will reportedly be made on his condition on Sunday at 9am according to The Daily Telegraph.
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Edwards reportedly told NSW coaching staff of his issue during a team training session on Saturday at Blue Mountains Grammar School.
Michael Maguire then reportedly made phone calls to the Roosters, informing him of the situation and putting him on standby.
While Edwards is optimistic he will take the field, NSW officials reportedly are aware of how problematic quad injuries can be and will take no risks regarding his fitness.
Should the Panthers gun be ruled out, it would mean Tedesco has only a single training session to learn Maguire’s style of play alongside the Blues’ spine.
Journalist Brent Read and former NRL star Wade Graham discussed the development on radio.
“If Teddy has been put on standby that would suggest it is pretty significant and that they’ve got genuine concerns around Dylan Edwards and his ability to play on Wednesday night,” Read said on Triple M.
“It’s devastating for Edwards,” added Graham.
“You get selected, he’s worked so hard and been one of the best players in the competition for the last three or four years and picks up, even if it’s just a little niggle and still manages to get to the game, it’s disrupting to his preparation… it’s just not what you want after being on top of the world.”
BLUES’ FIVE-WAY BATTLE AMID INJURY UPDATE ON DUO
Blues fans can breath a sigh of relief with forward Liam Martin telling reporters he is “feeling really good” while also giving a positive update on halfback Nicho Hynes.
Martin and Hynes didn’t train fully with the team on the first couple of days of Blues camp, but the back rower said he has since been able to complete a full training session.
The Penrith star also revealed the injury he had been dealing with.
“It’s feeling really good. I ticked a few boxes and feeling great,” Martin said Saturday morning.
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“I trained fully the day before yesterday and it’s feeling really good.
“The (Blues) physios talked with Penrith and they just sort of worked out a plan to ease into the week and then be firing at the back end of the week … so I’m ready to go.
“It was a glute tear, grade 1-type of thing. They heal quickly so I’m fortunate there.”
“He’s looking really good. We warmed up together yesterday and then jumped into training. I think he’s oulled up really well so I think there’s no dramas with either of us.
Martin’s ex-Penrith teammate Stephen Crichton also gave a Hynes update in his press conference with reporters, but says there are still question marks over who will kick conversions for the Blues on Wednesday night.
Crichton is in the running, as is Hynes provided he’s fit enough to. Zac Lomax, Dylan Edwards and Joseph Sua’ali’li have all impressed with the boot as well this season.
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“He’s (Hynes) a lot more confident and he’s ready to go. He did a lot more kicking the other day and it looked like there’s nothing wrong with him so he’s sweet,” Crichton said.
“We did a goalkicking session the other day and there were like six of us goalkicking.
“There are a lot of good goalkickers (in the team) so whoever does get it will do a good job.
“I don’t mind doing it but even if I don’t, it just narrows down my focus.
When pressed who he thought the best goalkicker in the Blues side was, Crichton said: “Zac Lomax has got a good kick on him.”
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TITAN’S SURPRISE AT FIFITA SNUB
Titans forward Moe Fotuaika has admitted he was “surprised” with Maroons coach Billy Slater’s decision to leave club teammate David Fifita out of the Queensland side for State of Origin Game I.
Despite his excellent form for the Titans, particularly over the past month, Fifita was left out of Queensland’s 20-man squad.
Fotuaika, who was named on the interchange bench, told reporters at Maroons training that despite the shock of Fifita missing out, he has plenty of belief in the team Slater named.
“I think it surprised everyone but everyone has full faith in Billy and the team that he picks,” Fotuaika said.
“This is the best team that he thinks will do the job.”
Source Agencies
