Liam Martin and Dylan Edwards are both anticipated to be available for selection in the second State of Origin match, as disclosed by Penrith coach Ivan Cleary. Martin sustained a toe injury during Wednesday’s series-opening 38-10 defeat to Queensland, while Edwards, the fullback, was sidelined due to a quad problem, preventing him from making his debut for the Blues.
Neither are expected to feature in the Panthers’ clash with Manly on Sunday but Cleary hopes the duo are a chance to take the field in the following week’s trip to face Newcastle.
Their anticipated inclusions will be music to the ears of Blues coach Michael Maguire whose side head to Melbourne’s MCG on June 26 fighting to keep the series alive.
It’s nothing too long term (for Martin) I don’t think, he was just a bit sore coming out of the other night. He should be fine (for Origin II),” Cleary said on Saturday. “Dyl has had a couple of runs since it happened and, again, it’s not a serious injury but the timing wasn’t great.
In terms of risk factor, the Blues they probably had to make that call but Dyl will definitely be fit for game two and he’ll be right to go for us next week.”
Tom Trbojevic and Nathan Cleary have been ruled out of Origin II due to their hamstring problems but Knights centre Bradman Best (hamstring), Souths skipper Cameron Murray (hip) and Roosters utility Connor Watson (throat), who was also set to be picked for the first game, are all pushing to return in time for the MCG match.
Best is in contention with Latrell Mitchell and Matt Burton for the centre spot left vacant by Joseph Suaalii copping a four-game ban for his send-off hit on Reece Walsh early in Origin I.
Murray has only an “outside chance” of recovering from injury in time for South Sydney’s last game before teams are picked for State of Origin II, interim coach Ben Hornby says.
He has been picked for every Origin match when fit since 2019, but missed game one with a hip injury that had been expected to sideline him for between six and eight weeks from early May.
NSW Origin I team
1 James Tedesco (Roosters)
2 Brian To’o (Panthers)
3 Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
4 Joseph Suaalii (Roosters)
5 Zac Lomax (Dragons)
6 Jarome Luai (Panthers)
7 Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
8 Jake Trbojevic (c) (Sea Eagles)
9 Reece Robson (Cowboys)
10 Payne Haas (Broncos)
11 Liam Martin (Panthers)
12 Angus Crichton (Roosters)
13 Cameron McInnes (Sharks)
14 Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
15 Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
16 Spencer Leniu (Roosters)
17 Hudson Young (Raiders)
18 Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
19 Luke Keary (Roosters)
20 Mitch Barnett (Warriors)
Jarome Luai and Nicho Hynes are under pressure to keep their spot in the halves with Mitchell Moses making a strong return from his foot injury while James Tedesco is likely to make way if Edwards is declared fit.
Blues hooker Reece Robson has been ruled out of Round 14 with a neck injury but is not expected to miss any more game time.
Predicted Blues Origin II team
3 Stephen Crichton (Bulldogs)
4 Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
5 Zac Lomax (Dragons)
6 Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
7 Mitchell Moses (Eels)
8 Jake Trbojevic (c) (Sea Eagles)
9 Reece Robson (Cowboys)
10 Payne Haas (Broncos)
11 Liam Martin (Panthers)
12 Angus Crichton (Roosters)
13 Cameron McInnes (Sharks)
14 Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
15 Matt Burton (Bulldogs)
16 Spencer Leniu (Roosters)
17 Hudson Young (Raiders)
18 Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles)
19 Jarome Luai (Panthers)
20 Mitch Barnett (Warriors)
