NSW Blues camp fuming after leaked footage from training ahead of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium
NSW Blues officials are seething after leaked footage emerged from a private training session in Brisbane ahead of the Origin series opener on Wednesday.
Vision of star centre Stephen Crichton troubled by what appeared to be a corked thigh quickly appeared online - and now the search is on to find the person responsible.
Laurie Daley's men were training at Ballymore - home of Super Rugby side Queensland Reds - on Monday.
The investigation will be thorough - it is understood Blues staff will watch back their aerial drone vision in the hope they can pinpoint the brazen offender.
Adding to the intrigue is the fact the vision - which appears to be from a mobile phone - could have been recorded from near Queensland Rugby Union's headquarters.
Daily Mail Australia does not suggest any QRU staff member is responsible.
'We allow people in and then this happens, a source told News Corp.
'We will look at the drone vision to see if we can find out who took the vision.
'Maybe next time we just won't allow anyone into our training sessions.'
Meanwhile, rugby league legend Greg Alexander has sensationally revealed Crichton won't play against Queensland, with his quad injury said to be worse than initially thought.
'He's out,' former NSW Blues advisor Alexander told SEN listeners on Tuesday.
'He's gone, he's done. The cork that he picked up from the training session was bad enough to rule him out.'
A scan on Tuesday will determine if Crichton plays.
Regardless, Matt Burton was rushed into NSW camp as 18th man - with Rabbitohs star Campbell Graham poised to replace Crichton in the starting side.
Graham previously played for the Kangaroos, but since representing his country in 2022 has endured a succession of injuries including a sternum issue which sidelined him for the whole of last season.
'It's great to be here and I'm stoked,' he said after his call up.
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