19 hours ago
How footy legend Nic Naitanui and the Western Force are helping the NSW Blues prepare for their upcoming State of Origin clash - as star forward ruled out with horror eye injury
New South Wales Blues have flown out to Western Australia ahead of State of Origin II at the Optus Stadium.
Appetites for rugby league have been growing in the West following the huge news that the NRL will be establishing a new franchise, the Western Bears, in WA.
Now though, Isaah Yeo and his side have landed in Perth and it appears as they gear up for this Wednesday's clash, they have been working alongside a rugby union and as well as an AFL side.
It comes as Laurie Daley has been forced to make a couple of changes to his squad, with Jacob Preston being drafted in as a 19th man.
He'll jet out West on Monday as a replacement for Rabbitohs star Keaon Kolomatangi.
The Souths star has suffered a suspected fractured eye socket.
He sustained the injury during his side's defeat by Canterbury on Sunday and the injury could rule him out for five weeks.
Lindsay Smith has also flown out to WA to join the squad.
After arriving in Perth, it appears the Blues have had some support from Super Rugby side, The Western Force and Nic Naitanui, a former West Coast Eagles ruckman.
As they look to go 2-0 in the series and claim their second successive series win, The Daily Telegraph writes that the Western Force are supplying the Blues with several players for a scrimmage match.
They'll play out the game at the HBF Stadium in Perth on Monday.
Meanwhile, Naitanui has also gotten in touch with Daly's side for a collaboration.
Head of community relations with the Eagles, the premiership-winning ruckman will host a jersey swap between the two sides.
Eagles midfielder Elliot Yeo will meet up with his namesake, NSW captain Isaah Yeo.
It comes as the Eagles have a bye round this week before they head out to play Collingwood in Melbourne on June 28.
The Blues were due to use the West Coast's training facilities with both sides opting to work together, however, the Eagles AFLW side had already booked out the gym.
Ahead of this week's match, the Blues are well aware of the challenge in front of them.
Star forward Payne Haas, a standout in State of Origin I, has opened up on the mammoth hill ahead of the side.
'We spoke about it straight after the first game that the job's not done,' Haas said.
