Injuries have seemingly decimated the City side ahead of Sunday’s traditional NSW State of Origin pre-curser against Country.
As the team assembled on Monday, five players named in Sunday’s 17-man squad were ruled out by their NRL clubs with fitness doubts.
Canterbury’s Josh Reynolds is considered a strong chance to challenge for the Blues five-eighth role alongside incumbent halfback Mitchell Pearce – but won’t have an opportunity to push his case in Coffs Harbour after succumbing to a shoulder injury.
Parramatta’s star fullback Jarryd Hayne was another to be ruled out on Monday, as was Wests Tigers trio Chris Lawrence, Aaron Woods and Robbie Farah.
In their place comes young fullback James Tedesco, who boasts just four NRL games to his name, and his Tigers teammates Joel Reddy and Curtis Sironen as well as Rabbitoh Nathan Peats and Newcastle forward Adam Cuthbertson.
The injury woes came after Pearce himself was ruled out by his club prior to Sunday’s squad announcement.
Two further players, Canberra’s Reece Robinson and South Sydney’s Beau Champion, were set to be brought into the side as injury cover only to be ruled out themselves.
The squad is still yet to be finalised, with Tedesco and Sironen, both coming off serious season-ending injuries from last year, facing medicals.