Qld pair pushing for Origin fitness

Neither finished Queensland’s first official training session but Nate Myles and Dane Gagai are both expected to be fit for next week’s State of Origin finale in Sydney.

Myles (knee) and Gagai (thigh) are both entering the Maroons camp under an fitness cloud.

After missing game two after injuring his knee during Manly’s NRL match against Penrith last month, Myles took part in most of a low-key session at Queensland’s Gold Coast camp on Thursday.

The 30-Origin veteran didn’t take part in the final drill of the day for precautionary reasons but fellow front-rower Matt Scott is confident Myles will be fit to face NSW at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.

“He was running pretty freely, I won’t say fast, but freely,” Scott said.

“He’s looking good. I think he’s pretty confident.”

Gagai underwent a fitness test on his troublesome right thigh away from the main group.

The winger – who scored a hat-trick in Queensland’s game two victory, despite battling the same complaint – left the session at the conclusion of his test but is almost certain to start according coach Kevin Walters.

Queensland also welcomed debutant Gavin Cooper to their camp on Thursday after he arrived in Townsville following the birth of his second child – Reggie – on Tuesday.

The 30-year-old admitted it had been a whirlwind week for him.

“That’s the first thing I’ve done since the game on Sunday so it’s good just to get a run in the legs,” Cooper said.

The Maroons will ramp up their preparations with a more intensive session on Friday afternoon, with 18th man Felise Kaufusi set to join the squad as cover for Myles.

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