NSW State of Origin news: Payne Haas fails to train for Blues, Stephen Crichton good to go

The NSW Blues received mixed news from their casualty ward, with star centre Stephen Crichton moving freely but Payne Haas failing to take to the field. Watch the team train here.

NSW prop Payne Haas will be given until early next week to overcome a quadriceps injury which forced him into the role of spectator at Blues training on Wednesday.

Haas only watched five minutes of warm-up action before heading to the dressing room as the Blues trained in the rain at Blue Mountains Grammar School in Wentworth Falls.

But he walked off with a stunning endorsement from a high-profile teammate.

Blues winger Zac Lomax rated Haas, who is also unlikely to train on Thursday, the best prop in rugby league.

“I think so, because of his work ethic and what he does off the ball as well,” Lomax said. “He’s up there. Payne’s engine is unbelievable. For a bloke who is 120kg, it is very admirable the way he goes about his ways. He is just an athlete.

Payne Haas and Craig Bellamy walk the sidelines at Blues training. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Everyone in this team are ultra-professional and they know their bodies. Players know what they need to get done and the boxes they need to tick.

“Payne has played a number of Origin games so he knows what to expect. I’m sure he will have himself ready to go. Payne will be sweet to play.”

The media was permitted to watch the first 10 minutes of training before being asked to leave.

While Haas, who suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to St George Illawarra, is expected to play State of Origin I next Wednesday night, standby prop Stefano Utoikamanu will continue to train with the side.

In positive news for NSW, centre Stephen Crichton, who has been troubled by an on-going groin injury, trained strongly and is certain to play.

He took the injury into Canterbury’s game against the Sydney Roosters last week but he showed little inconvenience when training with NSW during a set of drills.

Melbourne super coach and Blues assistant Craig Bellamy was at NSW’s first official training run.

He watched NSW warm-up on one side of the field with head coach Laurie Daley positioned on the other side as players looked to be high spirits and ripped into training.

NSW assistant coaches Dean Young, Brett White and Matt King helped with drills.

“It was good to get our first-hit and we will all be ready to go on Wednesday,” Lomax said.

Dragons players Cody Ramsey and Hamish Stewart have joined the Blues squad for experience.

LATRELL TEES OFF

NSW star Latrell Mitchell swung the golf club on Wednesday before taking a swing at Queensland next week.

Mitchell slipped away from the pressures of State of Origin for a snappy nine holes of golf at Leura Golf Club, located next to the Fairmont Resort, where the Blues have set-up camp.

Latrell Mitchell escapes to play some golf. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Unconcerned about playing golf on his own, and in the Blue Mountains rain, Mitchell showed rugby league isn’t the only sport where he excels.

Mitchell, who plays off an eight handicap at Bonnie Doon in Sydney’s east, hit a long ball as he trudged through the wet fairways during a stress-free two hours.

“Mate, Latrell loves his golf,” said Blues coach Laurie Daley.

Precision putt for the Souths star. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“One of the big attractions of being based in Leura is the golf course, which is on-site.

“Players use golf as a way to clear their minds. We are still a week away from the game and don’t want the players thinking about the game in their down time.

“Latrell, along with all the players, have been first class in camp.”

Mitchell, under a self-imposed media ban, will often post photos of himself playing golf to social media.

Souths fans on TikTok once described Mitchell’s swing as “incredible.”

Blues five-eighth Mitch Moses was also spotted bringing his golf clubs into camp. He plays off eleven.

Other players are expected to play golf on Friday, a scheduled day off.

NSW trained for the first time on Wednesday at Wentworth Falls in preparation for State of Origin I next Wednesday night in Brisbane.

Blues prop Payne Haas has a quad injury and will be given until early next week to prove his fitness.

Originally published as NSW State of Origin news: Payne Haas fails to train for Blues, Stephen Crichton good to go