Heavily strapped Haas makes fleeting appearance at Blues training
Payne Haas still appeared hampered by a quad injury as one of Laurie Daley's former Queensland Origin opponents made a surprise appearance at training at Ballymore on Monday.
Haas had his left quad heavily strapped and only completed a handful of tackles during the opposed session against Queensland Cup side Wynnum Manly before reverting to sprint drills on the sideline.
Blues officials remain hopeful the game's best front-rower will be fit to start at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night, with Stefano Utoikamanu on stand-by.
As Haas races the clock, Les Kiss, the former Queensland winger and incoming Wallabies coach was spotted on the sidelines.
Kiss, a former North Sydney Bears player who featured in four Origin games for the Maroons, was at the venue in his role as Queensland Reds coach.
The 60-year-old will attend his first Origin game in more than 20 years, and admitted there were a few players in the NSW and Queensland teams that would look good as Wallabies.
'I've cast my eye over both teams,' Kiss said. 'I'd love to have a couple of them, but at the moment we're really happy with what we've got. Joseph [Suaalii] joined us recently, you guys got Marky [Nawaqanitawase] to the Sydney Roosters.
'Both teams here have a few guys who could easily represent the Wallabies. But we're happy with our lot at the moment.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
4 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Knights confirm playmaker's long-awaited NRL return
Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game. Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May. Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around. Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates. But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday. The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March. Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot. Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date. Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights. Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast. Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match. Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden. As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury. The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue. Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell. St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue. Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game. Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May. Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around. Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates. But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday. The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March. Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot. Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date. Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights. Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast. Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match. Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden. As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury. The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue. Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell. St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue. Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game. Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May. Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around. Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates. But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday. The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March. Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot. Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date. Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights. Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast. Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match. Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden. As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury. The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue. Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell. St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue.
West Australian
14 minutes ago
- West Australian
Knights confirm playmaker's long-awaited NRL return
Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game. Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May. Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around. Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates. But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday. The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March. Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot. Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date. Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights. Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast. Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match. Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden. As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury. The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue. Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell. St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue.
Perth Now
14 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Knights confirm playmaker's long-awaited NRL return
Newcastle have finally turned to Jackson Hastings in the fight for their NRL season, with the out-of-favour half set to face another returning playmaker in Sam Walker in his comeback game. Off-contract Hastings appeared to have played his last game for the Knights when he was unable to crack first grade in a slump that yielded seven losses from eight games between March and May. Under-pressure Knights coach Adam O'Brien previously told reporters it would be "unfair" to recall Hastings and expect him to be able to turn the Knights' fortunes around. Reports had also claimed Hastings, unsighted at NRL level since last July, was at the centre of a rift with his Knights teammates. But with Kalyn Ponga away on State of Origin duty, the 15th-placed Knights have brought Hastings in to partner Jack Cogger in the halves against the Sydney Roosters on Saturday. The Knights had few options but to recall Hastings given Tyson Gamble remains sidelined with a thumb injury and Will Pryce was released to the English Super League in March. Fletcher Sharpe shifts from five-eighth to Ponga's fullback spot. Following a successful performance with the reserves last week, Roosters halfback Walker will play his first top-grade game since September after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury. Walker's return pushes Sandon Smith from the halves to the bench, with Hugo Savala retaining a spot in the starting side as reward for a strong first season to date. Out-of-favour winger Dom Young has also been recalled to the top grade amid the Roosters' Origin absences as he continues to be linked with a return to the Knights. Elsewhere, Tom Trbojevic returns from his corked quad to line up in Manly's match against Gold Coast. Sea Eagles veterans Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic will also be on hand after being overlooked for selection in the second Origin match. Jason Taumalolo is back from a calf injury for North Queensland's clash against intrastate rivals the Dolphins and the Cowboys have also recalled playmaker Jake Clifford to cover for Queensland representative Tom Dearden. As expected, Matt Burton's call-up to serve as NSW's 18th man for Origin II has opened a spot for Lachlan Galvin to start in the halves for the first time since joining Canterbury. The teenager will play five-eighth next to Toby Sexton for Sunday's meeting with South Sydney, who have lost Cody Walker to a groin issue. Jamie Humphreys will join Jayden Sullivan in the halves, with Jye Gray recalled at fullback to cover for Blues star Latrell Mitchell. St George Illawarra have recalled Tyrell Sloan from a week in reserve grade to replace Christian Tuipulotu, who misses the match with Cronulla through a hamstring issue.
