NSW skipper Boyd Cordner continues to race the clock and recover from a calf injury ahead of next week’s State of Origin III.
Cordner took part in the warm-up but once again sat out the side’s field session at Sydney Olympic Park on Thursday.
Cronulla prop Matt Prior has joined Blues camp in Sydney as a shadow player and ran with the side.
Should Cordner not pull up in time, Gold Coast skipper Ryan James will come into the side on the bench.
James has been named in the Titans line-up for the clash against Brisbane on Sunday but could be pulled if he is required by NSW.
Cordner spent much of the session behind the goalposts talking to coach Brad Fittler and the NSW coaching staff.
Tariq Sims, who has been named on the bench, filled in at left back-row, working on his combination with James Maloney, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr.
The Sydney Roosters captain had previously targeted Thursday’s session, the side’s main training run of their 10-day preparation, as his chance to prove himself.
Fittler is said to be happy with Cordner’s recovery and will give him up until the 11th hour to prove his fitness.
“He’s good. He’s been on light training. But from day one he’s said he’s sweet,” Blues back-rower Tyson Frizell said.
“He’s the best judge of his own body. He knows if he’ll be right.
“If he says he’s sweet, he’ll be right to go next Wednesday.”
Cordner’s experience shapes as key as the Blues shoot for a rare clean sweep at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.
Other than Cordner, the only players in the Blues line-up to have played an Origin at Suncorp Stadium are James Tedesco, James Maloney, David Klemmer, Tyson Frizell and Jake Trbojevic.
Cordner was also the only Blues’ forward during State of Origin II to run for more than 100 metres.
“We’ve been playing pretty well through the middle the first two games,” Frizell said of the Blues forwards.
“(The Maroons) always get a spring in their step when they play up there in front of their home crowd. Not many of these boys have experienced what it’s like to play up there.”
