Crichton sends injury scare through NSW; Haas still hampered by quad complaint
Blues officials will closely monitor Stephen Crichton on Tuesday after the Bulldogs centre sent an injury scare through the NSW camp after failing to finish Monday's training session in Brisbane.
Crichton carried a groin injury on the same leg into Canterbury's last game, and was restricted at training as a result. Blues officials were hoping his latest injury was nothing more than a cork.
Crichton was not required to undergo scans, but Blues medical staff will keep a close eye on his progress between now and game day.
The sight of Crichton limping from the field with an ice pack on his left quad was the last thing Blues coach Laurie Daley wanted to see just 40 hours out from Origin I at Suncorp Stadium.
While most eyes were on prop Payne Haas and whether his quad would cope with the first serious hit-out this camp, the Blues were not expecting the game's best centre to exit early.
If Crichton is ruled out, South Sydney's Campbell Graham – who filled in at right centre for the remainder of the morning against Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly – will start and Canterbury's Matt Burton, who has been placed on stand-by, will come in as 18th man.
Haas still appeared hampered by his own quad injury, only completing a handful of tackles during the opposed session before reverting to sprint drills on the sideline.
Blues officials remain hopeful the Brisbane front-rower will be fit to start at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, with Stefano Utoikamanu on stand-by.
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Coach Laurie Daley was in awe of Haas' ability to perform despite his poor preparation. "Yeah for a big bloke on limited prep; a 10-day prep with hardly any running," he said. "To jump out on the ground and do what he did, it's inspirational, actually." First-time captain Isaah Yeo (five tackle breaks in 13 runs) is awaiting the next move from the Maroons, who will mull their selection options, in Perth. "We should get some confidence out of it, anytime you win in this arena," he said of their Brisbane win. "Another week in camp, I find the games are better and there's a bit more thrown at you in games two and three. "But there's areas in our game that we can get better at "You don't want to play the perfect footy and have nothing to fall back on. It's a long way to go."
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NSW expect to find a new level after Payne Haas played an "inspirational" hand, on one leg, to power the Blues within reach of back-to-back State of Origin series wins. Carrying a quadriceps complaint, the Brisbane prop entered camp in doubt for Wednesday's series opener against Queensland. He barely trained but then bashed the Maroons in a first-half clinic that set up their 18-6 victory. It was a margin that flattered Queensland, considering Nathan Cleary (0-3) and Zac Lomax (0-1) missed all four try conversions attempts. Haas (140 run metres, 18 runs, three tackle breaks, three offloads, 29 tackles) led a pack that set the tone in a dominant first half before hanging tough in a scrappy second half. "I got a bit nervous on the bus, but all the boys showed faith in me," the Broncos prop said of his mental state after managing his leg complaint. Haas is only 25 but has already played 15 Origins after debuting in 2019. "I'm just doing my job; I love this jersey so much. I love these boys and love playing for the people of New South Wales," he said. "I've just watched it (Origin) since I was a kid, just love this jersey . "But I wouldn't say I'm at the top (of my game). I'm only 25, long way to go and still working." Not since 2006 have the Blues won three consecutive Origin games, two of those coming in Brisbane while the hosts scored just one try in total. Haas expects Maroons coach Billy Slater to respond in Perth, where the Blues can seal the series at a venue they've dominated at in the only two previous visits. "We know what Queensland do; they're going to bounce back," he said. "We'll have to prepare better and be better next game cause they're going to be up for it." Coach Laurie Daley was in awe of Haas' ability to perform despite his poor preparation. "Yeah for a big bloke on limited prep; a 10-day prep with hardly any running," he said. "To jump out on the ground and do what he did, it's inspirational, actually." First-time captain Isaah Yeo (five tackle breaks in 13 runs) is awaiting the next move from the Maroons, who will mull their selection options, in Perth. "We should get some confidence out of it, anytime you win in this arena," he said of their Brisbane win. "Another week in camp, I find the games are better and there's a bit more thrown at you in games two and three. "But there's areas in our game that we can get better at "You don't want to play the perfect footy and have nothing to fall back on. It's a long way to go."
