New South Wales has been hit with its own injury dramas a week out from the State of Origin opener.
On Tuesday it was Queensland star Harry Grant who missed training at Red Hill due to illness.
And on Wednesday it was Blues halfback Nicho Hynes who was a notable absentee as the team went through its paces for the first time since Monday‘s selection.
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Media were kicked out of training at the team‘s Blue Mountains base but Nine‘s Danny Weidler revealed Hynes was nowhere to be seen.
The Cronulla playmaker had been nursing a calf complaint when he came into camp.
Nicho Hynes in action during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin training session last year. Getty
“Unfortunately Nicho Hynes is not training with the side right now. He was watching on as they were going through their warm-ups,“ Weidler said.
“It is my understanding that Luke Keary is actually training at halfback right now, not Nicho Hynes.
“Michael Maguire had promised us that Nicho Hynes would be running on day one of training. That hasn‘t happened, so some concerns for the Blues.“
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While new coach Michael Maguire hasn‘t named any back-up playmaker on his bench despite Hyne‘s niggle, Keary is in the reserves and ready to step in if need be.
But that will only help NSW if the change is made pre-game, not if Hynes aggravates the calf problem during the game at Accor Stadium.
And Hynes wasn‘t the only injury concern at Wednesday‘s training run.
Penrith forward Liam Martin also sat out the session – at least while media were watching.
“He‘s had a hamstring injury, he is also training separately with the side,“ Weidler said.
The Blues and Maroons are able to change their line-ups up to an hour before kick-off next Wednesday.