Queensland winger Xavier Coates’ State of Origin debut is in doubt with the teenager to undergo scans on Monday on his injured right shoulder.
The 19-year-old failed to finish the Maroons’ training session on the Gold Coast after hurting the joint and it remains unclear if he’ll be fit to face NSW in Wednesday’s series opener at Adelaide Oval.
With the Maroons having a day off training, captain Daly Cherry-Evans said he wasn’t sure just how bad Coates’ injury was.
“He looked fine at brekkie this morning,” Cherry-Evans said.
“He’s got a scan to come today so we’ll find out a lot more about where he’s at.
“He was very smiley and happy at breakfast this morning, but I think that just might be his character.”
If Coates’s shoulder is no good, he’ll join a backline casualty ward that already includes incumbent stars Michael Morgan, Moses Mbye and Kalyn Ponga – who have all been ruled out of this year’s series.
Penrith’s Kurt Capewell and Gold Coast’s Phillip Sami are the two players who’ll vie to replace Coates if he’s ruled out.
Cherry-Evans gave no hint which of the uncapped pair is the favoured option.
“All those guys have already been training there so it’s not going to be any big surprises who’s playing there,” Cherry-Evans said.
“With the way you have to name squads these days you just know it’s going to come from the 21.
“I’m not sure who exactly.
“I’d like to think they’re probably going to give Xavier a bit more of a chance and see what this scan says today.”
Whoever the inexperienced Queensland team go with when both states finalise their 19-man squads on Tuesday, Blues playmaker Cody Walker is wary of coach Wayne Bennett’s ability to inspire those under his charge.
The Blues are favourites to secure their first series three-peat since 2003-2005 given the number of debutants the Maroons are set to blood in this year’s campaign.
But Walker, who is coached by Bennett at South Sydney, says there’ll be no room for complacency within the Blues camp.
“Definitely not,” Walker told AAP.
“What the debutants will bring is a lot of energy, want and desire.
“They’ll be up for the game there’s no doubt about that.”
Walker knows exactly the kind of mastery the Queensland coach will pull to inspire the young Maroons side.
“That’s one thing I know about Wayne is he has his sides ready to go,” Walker, who has been selected on the Blues bench, said.
“He knows how to motivate his sides, he’s done that for us all year.
“Regardless of debutants, everyone will be ready to go.
“He just knows how to prod and poke.
“I just know he’ll just get his players up.
“He’s always done that with us.”
