Gallen returns, NSW sweat on Morris, Farah

One down. Two to go for NSW coach Laurie Daley.

Paul Gallen is all but assured of leading out the NSW Blues for State of Origin II.

On Monday, Daley will learn the fate of two of Gallen’s most trusted deputies, Robbie Farah and Brett Morris.

The NSW captain made a successful return from a glute injury in Cronulla’s 10-4 win against the Sydney Roosters at Remondis Stadium on Sunday.

Gallen was taking a cautious approach having played just one game in nearly two months, however he said his body had pulled up fine.

“I spoke to Laurie earlier in the week and just told him that I’d be right to play this week,” Gallen said.

“I’ll just wait and see what he comes up with in the next 24 hours. Just have to wait and see. Fingers crossed, I’m ready to go.”

Morris is likely to return for Canterbury against his former club St George Illawarra on Monday in a bid to prove his fitness for Origin II.

The Bulldogs fullback trained with his side on Sunday.

But the coaching staff are waiting to see how he pulls up before giving him the green light to return from a hamstring problem.

He has not played since round five but will be an automatic selection for Blues coach Laurie Daley on the wing, at the expense of Daniel Tupou or Will Hopoate.

Farah will today speak with Blues officials to make a ruling on his injured shoulder ahead of game two at the MCG on June 17.

The Wests Tigers hooker has not taken the field since suffering the injury in Origin I, however will be given the okay to take his spot provided he can train from day one of team camp in Coffs Harbour.

The Queenslanders also received a piece of good fortune when halfback Cooper Cronk was cleared of a major knee injury after going down in Melbourne’s win over Penrith.

Despite being without Billy Slater, Melbourne punished a sloppy Penrith outfit 20-0 at Pepper Stadium.

Five-eighth Blake Green was a standout, crossing for two tries as the Panthers looked rudderless without Jamie Soward.

South Sydney made it three wins on the trot when they thrashed an undisciplined Warriors 36-4.

Dylan Walker was in devastating form, grabbing two tries while Greg Inglis returned to his best having recovered from a bout of tonsillitis and a niggling knee injury.

Blake Austin added to his reputation as the buy of the season as he spearheaded Canberra’s 44-22 win over Newcastle.

Coach Ricky Stuart played down calls for Austin to be added to the NSW side, however his five-eighth was a standout, setting up one try and scoring a double.

The Brisbane Broncos heaped more misery on under-fire Manly coach Geoff Toovey with a 44-10 win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.

Jack Reed and Anthony Milford were standouts on the left edge while Daly Cherry-Evans received a chorus of boos after earlier in the week reneging on his deal to join the Gold Coast.

Wests Tigers suffered their fourth loss in a row as the Gold Coast held off a second half comeback to run out 27-20 winners at Leichhardt Oval.

Anthony Don who was the hero for the Titans, crossing for the match-winning try in the 71st minute.

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