Injured fullback Billy Slater says he’s desperately hoping to be part of Petero Civoniceva’s Suncorp Stadium State of Origin farewell next month which will decide the series’ winner.
Slater was to have scans in Melbourne on Thursday afternoon on his damaged left knee, after playing out Wednesday night’s 16-12 game two Origin loss to NSW in Sydney.
“We’ll know more after I have a scan this afternoon (Thursday),” said Slater before heading back to Melbourne.
“It was a positive I finished the game, definitely.
“I’ve been told it’s a PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injury but what grading or whether it’s snapped I’m not sure.”
Slater, who felt the injury cut his pace back to 75 per cent, said he’d been told he could keep playing without his PCL.
“That’s a positive. I think Justin Hodges is missing a PCL in one of his knees which is positive news for me,” said Slater whose 11 Origin tries in 19 games is second only to teammate Greg Inglis, the man who could replace him at fullback for Origin III.
“It’s a common thing to repair PCLs so hopefully it’s just a rehab thing and a matter of getting the strength back.”
Slater was put through a fitness test in the dressing room during the half-time break by Queensland team doctor Roy Saunders before being allowed to return to the field.
He said once the injury was properly diagnosed he would begin the process of rebuilding strength in his left knee.
“I’m hoping it’s not long, not three weeks anyway,” said the electrifying 28-year-old.
“Obviously I want to be there for game three, that’s the short term goal. I’d really like to be there for that.”
Queensland fans will be sweating on Slater’s fitness given his brilliance and ability to come up with match-winning plays in Origin which he has done in big games before.
But Slater said he wouldn’t risk the series by playing if he felt he would be a hindrance to the side.
“Who knows, it might be taken out of my hands or I might be back playing next weekend with the Storm,” he said.
“There’s a lot of great players around for Queensland and someone always fills in and does a great job.
“We’re not at that stage yet and there’s a lot of options available.
“But at this stage, I’m planning on playing game three.”
Brisbane forward Corey Parker also headed home after undergoing surgery on Wednesday night to close a gaping leg laceration that has him also in doubt for the series’ decider.