NSW State of Origin centre Josh Morris will test a minor leg injury at training on Saturday.
Morris spent Friday’s scheduled day off working with medical staff to improve his leg after picking up the injury in a training run on Thursday, but players are confident the Canterbury star will play in Origin II on Wednesday.
“I think he’ll be fine. Had him in the room last night and gave him a friendly massage. He’s in good spirits and he’ll get out there and train today,” halfback Adam Reynolds said on Saturday morning.
Blues second-rower Josh Jackson said he expected his clubmate to play.
“He was walking around on it yesterday, had a bit of physio on it. Asked him about it this morning and he feels pretty good,” Jackson said.
“From what I gather he seems alright but after has a bit of a run around on it, we’ll see how he goes today.”
Blues coach Laurie Daley said he would have a better indication on Morris’ status after Saturday’s session, but is confident he wouldn’t be forced into making a late change.
“We’ll see how he’s travelling. If he’s no good he’ll be ruled out but if he looks like he’s going to be all right, we’ll give him time. I am pretty confident he will be all right,” Daley told News Corp.
“He seems to be okay at the moment but we’ll just see how he goes.
“We will see how he pulls up. I spoke to Josh (on Friday morning) and he seems to be all right but we will still have to wait and see.”
If Morris is ruled out, development player Jack Bird is likely to be thrust into the Origin cauldron to make his Origin debut, while Canberra tyro Joseph Leilua could be brought in from outside the squad.
Jackson said Bird would be up to the task if asked to.
“I think he’d go well. He’s an Origin type of player. He’s gritty and he likes those grinding type of games. If he’s given an opportunity, I think he’s handle it pretty well,” he said.
Morris’ injury is just the latest setback in a disrupted camp for the Blues.
Not only were they forced to wait on the NRL judiciary’s verdict on Wade Graham’s careless high tackle midweek, skipper Paul Gallen is also yet to train due to a minor ankle issue.
The Blues have two more sessions in Coffs Harbour before shifting base to Brisbane on Sunday.
