Origin selection thrown into disarray after gruesome mouth injury and Selwyn Cobba wrist fracture
Outside back Selwyn Cobbo will have scans on a suspected wrist fracture after fellow winger Murray Taulagi was ruled out of Queensland's side for the State of Origin opener with a calf injury.
Meantime prop Pat Carrigan went to hospital on Sunday night to visit a specialist and may need to see a plastic surgeon to fix a facial injury he sustained in Brisbane's 30-26 loss to St George Illawarra, and will need to be cleared to play in Origin I.
The Maroons were on Sunday handed last-minute selection hurdles, with Taulagi's injury compounded by the Cobbo blow.
North Queensland winger Taulagi was set to be named on the wing for the May 28 series opener, before he pulled up sore from the Cowboys' loss to Manly.
The 26-year-old is expected to miss at least a couple of weeks, ruling him out of at least Origin I and placing him in doubt for game two.
Cobbo hurt his wrist in the second half of the loss to the Dragons while playing fullback.
He had it strapped and was moved to wing.
Coach Michael Maguire said after the match it was not considered serious, but medical staff have assessed the injury and suspect a fracture. Cobbo will have scans on Monday morning.
Sydney Roosters rookie Robert Toia is a possible option if Cobbo is unavailable.
The Broncos are also hopeful Carrigan has not suffered any serious structural damage after a head clash with Jack de Belin in the final minute against the Dragons.
Carrigan had blood pouring from a split lip, but the location of the cut meant it could not be stapled up.
He was tipped to see a plastic surgeon on Monday, the same day Maroons coach Billy Slater names his team and players begin entering camp.
The Maroons have already lost fellow forward Tom Gilbert to a pectoral injury, after he went down early in the Dolphins' loss to the Warriors on Saturday.
One man who won't replace him is in-form Warriors edge Kurt Capewell, who was on the plane back to Auckland on Sunday.
Meanwhile, one outside back known to be in the Maroons' squad is Valentine Holmes, who is expected to partner Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the centres.
Holmes' presence is desperately needed as a goalkicker, with fullback Kalyn Ponga Queensland's other option.
'He has always done the job and is in pretty decent form for the Dragons,' former Queensland centre Brent Tate said.
'It looks like he has found his mojo again.
'Val is just arrow-straight with his kicks, and the process he runs through is so consistent. There is none better in the game as pure strikers of the ball.'
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Sydney Morning Herald
6 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dolphins dazzle in 50-point demolition of Dragons
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Sydney Morning Herald
12 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sharks suffer 40-10 defeat in the Shire as Warriors surge into top two
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News.com.au
13 hours ago
- News.com.au
END of DCE? Dearden set to be QLD 7
State of Origin: Reports have emerged that Billy Slater has made the call to drop captain Daly Cherry-Evans for Tom Dearden.
