NSW captain Boyd Cordner is set to be ruled out of the remainder of the State of Origin series after copping another head knock in the series opener in Adelaide on Wednesday.
The Blues made the tough call to rest Cordner from the final two games of the series as concerns grow about his history with concussion.
Sydney Roosters boss Nick Politis confirmed the development to News Corp, although the NSWRL is yet to make a statement.
“They are going to send him home to rest and we support that wholeheartedly,” Politis said.
“Our stance is player welfare should be paramount.
“If that happened at a club level Robbo (coach Trent Robinson) wouldn’t be playing him next week.”
Teams for Game II in Sydney are set to be named at 4pm on Friday when it’s expected the Blues will confirm Cordner has been rested.
The skipper has suffered a series of troubling concussions this season and underwent a HIA for a head knock in the loss to Queensland at the Adelaide Oval.
The decision to allow him to return to the field after passing HIA protocols is now under investigation by the NRL.
Fullback James Tedesco was named vice captain for last year’s series and could be an option to take over the captaincy for the clash at ANZ Stadium in five days.
But the main concerns remain over Cordner and any potential ongoing health issues he is facing as a result of his concussion history.
On Thursday Fittler said he would speak to Cordner and listen to advice from medical staff before naming a side to attempt to level the series.
It’s expected Angus Crichton will move into the second row to replace Cordner on the left edge, with Nathan Brown tipped to make his Origin debut from the bench.
Changes have already been flagged after second-rower Cameron Murray suffered a hamstring injury that will rule him out for the series.
Jack Wighton is expected to be fit to play despite a leg injury, while the halves combination of Nathan Cleary and Luke Keary is also under consideration after calls to hand Cody Walker the No.6 jersey.
NSW legend Andrew Johns questioned Keary’s defence and called for Walker to play five-eighth with Ryan Papenhuyzen added to the bench as a utility.
