New South Wales coach Laurie Daley has been handed a major injury headache just hours after he announced his full State of Origin game two squad.
Stephen Crichton, who has been battling an AC joint injury, has reportedly been deemed not fit enough to train this week.
There had already been questions over his inclusion in the Blues squad due to a string of poor performances so far this season.
But Daley had backed the Canterbury captain, who had produced the winning try in the Bulldogs’ win over the Eels on Monday.
The 25-year-old had told Fox League after the win that he had torn the cartilage in his right shoulder.
But that had actually improved his condition by relieving the pain he had been dealing with.
Stephen Crichton has reportedly been ruled out of State of Origin game two due to a lingering shoulder injury
Mark Nawaqanitawase is widely expected to be his replacement in the squad
Mitchell Moses has also been called up despite concerns over his hamstring injury that ruled him out of game one
Ethan Strange remains in contention to start should Moses be deemed not fit enough
‘The body is going all right. Last week when I did my shoulder again against the Tigers, it ripped all the cartilage off it,’ Crichton said on Fox League after Canterbury’s win on Monday.
‘They’re saying it was a good thing to do, now there is no pain in it. I came into the game with no needle. It’s weird how the world works, hey.
‘I’m not trying to prove anyone wrong but I haven’t been at my best, especially my mindset coming into games. I’m just trying to narrow my focus.’
It is believed that Sydney Roosters sensation Mark Nawaqanitawase will step into the squad to replace the stricken Bulldogs skipper.
Nawaqanitawase was snubbed when Laurie Daley announced his game one squad but now looks set to make his Origin debut.
The Roosters star has recorded an astonishing ten tries in nine games so far this season, including three on his return from injury on Friday night.
Crichton’s injury news will surely put a great degree of concern among the Blues camp.
Daley has gambled on the fitness of two other players including Mitchell Moses, who missed game one due to a hamstring injury suffered just 48-hours prior to kick-off.
The Eels man has yet to make a return to the field following that setback but has been cleared to join the Blues camp by physios.
Isaiya Katoa has also been drafted in and could find a space on an extended bench should Moses be deemed unfit
‘There’s some guys we need a report from, there are a couple of guys carrying slight niggles and injuries that we need to be on top of and sure they can train,’ Daley said.
‘Our first training session is on Wednesday, that’s an educational day rather than a heavy session. You want them to participate in that but certainly by Thursday they need to be humming,’ Daley said.
‘You don’t want to be taking guys in that are underdone. They have to make sure they can hit the paddock and have confidence in their own preparation, that’s the key.’
Isaiya Katoa has been drafted in as a back-up option should Moses not be fit enough by the Thursday deadline set by his coach.
That would also likely see game one star, Ethan Strange handed the start with Katoa stepping up to the extended bench.
‘He can step in and play in the halves for NSW. We are lucky to have him, his best football is in front of him. If he gets an opportunity, I’m sure he won’t let anyone down,’ Daley said.
‘He’s got a great kicking game, his organisational skills are great and he’s a good communicator. All the ingredients you need from a half.’
