NSW rookie prop Tim Grant’s sketchy State of Origin preparation hasn’t put a dent in the Blues confidence ahead of game two in Sydney.
Grant will make his debut for NSW at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night despite a persistent back injury that saw him limp out of training on Monday.
Blues assistant coach Trent Barrett said the front-rower’s stop-start build-up was of no concern and that he was more than ready to fight it out against Queensland for the first time.
“Whilst physically it’s probably the most demanding position on the football field, technically it’s not that difficult for them,” Barrett said.
“They run straight and tackle hard, that’s what he’ll do. He’ll be fine.
“He’s played enough footy to be able to handle it.”
Barrett said having Grant in the front-row and captain Paul Gallen back as lock will give the Blues more go-forward in the middle of the ruck.
“You saw what James Tamou did in game one, and Timmy Grant’s a similar size,” Barrett said.
“So it gives us another big body around the field, he’s also pretty mobile.”
Aaron Woods, Jamie Buhrer and Brett Morris will join the NSW camp on Tuesday night in case of any last-minute dramas.