NSW back-rower Greg Bird admits he feared his hopes of facing Queensland in the State of Origin decider would be dashed after injuring his ankle in the Gold Coast’s defeat by Penrith on Saturday.
Bird reported for camp in Sydney on Monday wearing a moonboot and limping heavily but after being assessed by team doctor Nathan Gibbs he was given a 90 per cent chance of taking the field at ANZ Stadium on July 17.
Bird removed the protective boot for the first time on Tuesday for the Blues’ team photo and said he felt relief after hearing the prognosis from Gibbs and was now in a position to focus on toppling Queensland for the first time since 2005.
“It’s the first time I have really walked around with it off and it feels alright,” Bird said.
“I got a heap of fluid pulled out of it last night and a bit of cortisone and it feels good so I’ll rest up for the next couple of days and have a jog on Friday.”
Bird sustained the injury in the opening minute of the game in Darwin but managed to play on for another hour for the Titans before leaving the field.
Although he has sustained a similar injury before and returned to action the following week, he admitted there was some trepidation about the severity of the problem.
“I was always confident but it is good to get some clarification from the doc … but there is always a little bit of doubt out there,” he said.
“I was fearing the worst and didn’t really want to come off but I feared there was a bit more damage there … but once I lace the boots up and go for a jog on Friday I am sure I’ll be right.”
Skipper Paul Gallen has also been in a moonboot as he recovers from the foot injury he sustained in game two in Brisbane but like his former Cronulla teammate confident he’ll be ready to play.
The 31-year-old admits he is world’s biggest pessimist when it comes to injuries but confident of leading his team out next Wednesday.
“I am doing everything I can and from today I won’t be wearing the boot,” Gallen said.
“Everything’s going to plan at the moment.
“It may be a bit different running and sprinting, but we’re on track.
“I am the most pessimistic person there is just ask the physios. If I’ve got something wrong with me I make them work overtime – that’s what they are there for.”
