Hinchcliffe trains at hooker for Blues

Ryan Hinchcliffe has trained at hooker during NSW’s first training session on Wednesday ahead of State of Origin III, in the absence of Robbie Farah.

Farah was expected to join the Blues at their Coffs Harbour base late Wednesday following surgery on his fractured hand on Tuesday. The Wests Tigers skipper remains a 50/50 proposition to play in next week’s Origin decider.

Melbourne utility Hinchcliffe filled the dummy half role as the Blues amped up their preparations in warm sunshine on the NSW north coast. However, whether or not he plays any role for the Blues at Suncorp Stadium remains to be seen.

Michael Ennis is likely to fill the NSW no.9 jersey if Farah isn’t fit. But he was unavailable on Wednesday due to his date with the judiciary Wednesday night.

Ennis will likely join the Blues on Thursday and even if he is suspended he will be free to play in game three if required.

Hinchcliffe could play a utility role off the bench, as could Josh Reynolds who will also train with the Blues in the dummy half role.

Skipper Paul Gallen took to the training paddock also on Wednesday despite his rib injury suffered in Origin II. Gallen may not train fully in the lead up to game three and risks going in underdone given his recent dearth of football. But he considered a certain starter for the match.

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