NSW skipper Boyd Cordner has conceded he could miss next week’s State of Origin III due to his troublesome calf muscle.
Cordner had targeted Thursday’s session at Sydney Olympic Park, the side’s main training run of their 10-day preparation, as his chance to prove himself.
However, he only took part in the warm-up then spent most of the session behind the goalposts talking to Blues coach Brad Fittler and the Blues coaching staff.
He said the Blues’ medical staff were taking a cautious approach and he was now aiming to run with the side on Friday.
“If it’s not right, I won’t play,” Cordner said.
“I’m thinking of the team all the time. I don’t want to be selfish at all or put the team in jeopardy if something does happen.
“I’ll play if I’m 100 per cent confident.”
Fittler is said to be happy with Cordner’s recovery and will give him up until the 11th hour to prove his fitness for Wednesday’s clash at Suncorp Stadium, where the Blues will attempt to complete a series clean sweep.
“The calf is going really well, I had a good session yesterday running on the alter-G (treadmill) and it’s made me even more confident,” Cordner said.
“With it being a long week, it helps us, we don’t have to rush it if we don’t have to.
“I’ll be warming up tomorrow and doing most of the session, that’s the plan.”
Should Cordner not prove his fitness, Gold Coast skipper Ryan James will come into the side on the bench.
James is already in camp with the Blues as 18th man but is scheduled to fly out to the Gold Coast on Friday afternoon to play for the Titans against Brisbane on Sunday.
However that could change if there is serious doubt about Cordner’s fitness.
Game two debutant prop Matt Prior has also rejoined Blues camp in Sydney as a shadow player and ran with the side.
Newcomer Tariq Sims, who has been named on the bench, filled in at Cordner’s position at left back-row on Thursday, working on his combination with James Maloney, Latrell Mitchell and Josh Addo-Carr.