Titans sweat on Tino after nasty eye injury
Gold Coast are sweating on the availability of captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui after he was wearing the scars of battle following his return to the State of Origin arena.
The Maroons prop, who missed last season with an ACL rupture, had stitches in a badly cut left eye that had gone black after the 18-6 loss to NSW on Wednesday night.
Of concern was the swelling around his eye socket area. AAP was told the Titans skipper may require scans to confirm there is no fracture as he aims to line up on Saturday afternoon against his former club Melbourne.
"I pride myself on backing up from Origin. I intend to play," he said.
"I hope to be back again (for game two of the Origin series) in Perth but first of all I want to perform for the Titans against the Storm."
Fa'asuamaleaui won a title with Melbourne in 2020 and it is a match he always marks on his calendar.
Fellow Gold Coast and Maroons forwards Moeaki Fotuaika and Beau Fermor have been cleared to play at Cbus Super Stadium.
North Queensland quartet Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden and Reece Robson were also cleared of any injuries and should back up against Wests Tigers on Saturday night.
Brisbane had two players involved in Origin - NSW's man of the match Payne Haas and Maroons lock Pat Carrigan.
Both were set for medicals on Thursday morning ahead of Saturday night's away clash with Manly.
Haas battled a quad injury in the 10 days leading up to Origin but still was the best player on the park in a remarkable display.
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The Advertiser
34 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Walsh sends Slater a message after star Broncos return
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series. "When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do," Walsh said. "If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home." Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. "It is good to be back," Walsh said. "I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. "I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. "I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. "I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. "I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can." Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was "a big part of our team". "We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better." Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. "No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there," he said. "I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it." Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. "I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL," Walsh said. "I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. "Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more." Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series. "When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do," Walsh said. "If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home." Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. "It is good to be back," Walsh said. "I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. "I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. "I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. "I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. "I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can." Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was "a big part of our team". "We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better." Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. "No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there," he said. "I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it." Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. "I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL," Walsh said. "I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. "Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more." Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series. "When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do," Walsh said. "If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home." Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. "It is good to be back," Walsh said. "I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. "I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. "I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. "I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. "I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can." Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was "a big part of our team". "We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better." Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. "No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there," he said. "I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it." Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. "I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL," Walsh said. "I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. "Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more."
The Advertiser
34 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Queensland to make seismic Cherry-Evans Origin call
Daly Cherry-Evans is set to become the first State of Origin captain dropped midway through a series this century, with Tom Dearden to take over as Queensland halfback. Maroons selectors will meet on Sunday afternoon where Cherry-Evans is almost certain to be left out of the squad for Origin II, barring any late changes. The call to leave Cherry-Evans out will easily be the biggest of Billy Slater's coaching tenure, and one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. Cherry-Evans has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins including their miraculous 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' 18-6 loss in Origin I, which marked their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Slater was coy when asked about selection on the Nine Network's Sunday Footy Show, and did not discuss the halfback position in depth. Queensland dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant when considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won one of four games starting for the Maroons as a five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans in last year's series and in the 2023 dead rubber. Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," Carrigan added. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." Slater must also weigh up changes in the Maroons' pack, after they were outmuscled by NSW in game one and beaten through the middle. Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh is one option to come into the side, while Beau Fermor could also potentially start ahead of Reuben Cotter. "I thoroughly believe whoever gets picked in that team deserves to be there and can well and truly get it done," Carrigan said. "We were our own worst enemy with some discipline things. I led the way. "If we dial back that sort of aggression there are plenty of really good forwards to well and truly handle the job." Daly Cherry-Evans is set to become the first State of Origin captain dropped midway through a series this century, with Tom Dearden to take over as Queensland halfback. Maroons selectors will meet on Sunday afternoon where Cherry-Evans is almost certain to be left out of the squad for Origin II, barring any late changes. The call to leave Cherry-Evans out will easily be the biggest of Billy Slater's coaching tenure, and one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. Cherry-Evans has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins including their miraculous 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' 18-6 loss in Origin I, which marked their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Slater was coy when asked about selection on the Nine Network's Sunday Footy Show, and did not discuss the halfback position in depth. Queensland dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant when considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won one of four games starting for the Maroons as a five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans in last year's series and in the 2023 dead rubber. Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," Carrigan added. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." Slater must also weigh up changes in the Maroons' pack, after they were outmuscled by NSW in game one and beaten through the middle. Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh is one option to come into the side, while Beau Fermor could also potentially start ahead of Reuben Cotter. "I thoroughly believe whoever gets picked in that team deserves to be there and can well and truly get it done," Carrigan said. "We were our own worst enemy with some discipline things. I led the way. "If we dial back that sort of aggression there are plenty of really good forwards to well and truly handle the job." Daly Cherry-Evans is set to become the first State of Origin captain dropped midway through a series this century, with Tom Dearden to take over as Queensland halfback. Maroons selectors will meet on Sunday afternoon where Cherry-Evans is almost certain to be left out of the squad for Origin II, barring any late changes. The call to leave Cherry-Evans out will easily be the biggest of Billy Slater's coaching tenure, and one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. Cherry-Evans has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins including their miraculous 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' 18-6 loss in Origin I, which marked their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Slater was coy when asked about selection on the Nine Network's Sunday Footy Show, and did not discuss the halfback position in depth. Queensland dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant when considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won one of four games starting for the Maroons as a five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans in last year's series and in the 2023 dead rubber. Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," Carrigan added. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." Slater must also weigh up changes in the Maroons' pack, after they were outmuscled by NSW in game one and beaten through the middle. Canberra forward Corey Horsburgh is one option to come into the side, while Beau Fermor could also potentially start ahead of Reuben Cotter. "I thoroughly believe whoever gets picked in that team deserves to be there and can well and truly get it done," Carrigan said. "We were our own worst enemy with some discipline things. I led the way. "If we dial back that sort of aggression there are plenty of really good forwards to well and truly handle the job."
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Reece Walsh sends direct message to Origin coach Billy Slater after shaking off ‘awkward' knee knock
Brisbane fullback Reece Walsh has turned his seven-week injury absence into a silver lining, returning to action on fire and reminding Queensland coach Billy Slater of his prodigious talents. Walsh set up the first try in the 44-14 win over Gold Coast on Saturday night with a 25m spiral pass and scored two late tries that showcased his footwork, power and support play. The 22-year-old missed six weeks with a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury which ruled him out of game one of the State of Origin series, lost 18-6 by the Maroons. Walsh was the incumbent fullback from last year but his spot in the series opener was taken by Kalyn Ponga. While his Broncos return was likely too late to be catapulted into game two in Perth he still wants to play a part in this year's series, particularly after shaking off an 'awkward' knock to his knee against the Titans. 'When you are a Queenslander, that's all you want to do,' Walsh said of an Origin recall. 'If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go. If he doesn't, I'll still be cheering the boys and backing them at home.' Walsh had time on his break to assess where his footy was heading and make the necessary adjustments. He picked his marks well against the Titans and was a lot more composed than at the start of the year. 'It is good to be back,' Walsh said. 'I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself. 'I worked a lot on my skills and my craft and I felt pretty natural out there. 'I know I have got a lot to work on and I'm a work in progress, so I have just got to keep myself honest. 'I had a lot of time to reflect on the start of my year. 'I had a really good pre-season and I obviously didn't start the year too well. That's just one game (against the Titans) and I've just got to keep keep reviewing my game and getting better where I can.' Brisbane captain and half Adam Reynolds said Walsh was 'a big part of our team'. 'We all know he is an X-factor and it is not only what he does with the ball but without it that is just as important. It certainly makes the team a lot better.' Reynolds celebrated his 300th NRL match against the Titans and Walsh was never going to miss the game. 'No way. I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there,' he said. 'I had a bit of a mishap at training, but I was never going to miss it.' Walsh did take a nasty knock to the knee against Gold Coast but not enough to get him off the park. 'I just jarred it up. I think it's pretty common with a PCL,' Walsh said. 'I got caught in an awkward position but it is still strong and stable. I think I handled it really well. 'Lucky we're going into a bye and I can look after it a little bit more.'
