Brad Fittler’s heavyweight omission for State of Origin decider

NSW have been forced into an unsettled and complicated preparation with six players unsure where or whether they will play in State of Origin III next Wednesday.

Daniel Saifiti (left) is set to retain his position. Pics Adam Head

• No.1 mystery as Walters explains squad

NSW have been forced into an unsettled and complicated preparation with six players unsure where or whether they will play in State of Origin III next Wednesday.

It will ensure NSW’s next 24 hours are unnerving and distracting.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the anxiety inside NSW’s camp stems from:

* Coach Brad Fittler wanting injured Nathan Cleary running by Friday at the latest;

* Parramatta’s Clint Gutherson being named 18th man, on standby for Cleary;

* NSW forward Tariq Sims fighting a charge at the NRL judiciary (Tuesday) which, if unsuccessful, would have him suspended for three games;

* Prop David Klemmer being overlooked for selection but told he would be rushed back if Sims was suspended;

* Back-rower Wade Graham aware he may have to shift late in the week into five-eighth should Cleary be ruled out; and

* James Maloney unaware who his halves partner will be, with the prospect he could be moved from five-eighth into halfback.

NSW last night named an 18-man squad that gathered last night at the team hotel in Bondi. It is the same side that won game two in Perth although extra man Ryan Matterson has missed out.

David Klemmer has been left out of Brad Fittler’s side. Picture: Adam Head

The Blues coaching staff hope everything will be settled and everyone has a position by Friday night — five days before kick-off.

Cleary was named at halfback but remains in doubt with severe bruising to the ankle. Even on Monday, NSW had no idea whether Cleary would be fit, although he had removed his moon boot.

“It is getting better quickly and there’s a big chance he will be right,” NSW adviser Greg Alexander said.

“He will know more by (today). We will give him as much time as he needs if the sign are good.”

While NSW won’t impose a deadline on Cleary, the Blues think he will know by Wednesday whether he could play.

Cleary was last night upbeat about his chances of playing, saying: “Fingers crossed. It’s coming along pretty well. I’m happy with the progression.”

Will this team make Origin history?

There didn’t appear to be appetite to recall former NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce when Fittler named his side.

The other issue is Sims. On Tuesday he will contest a grade two dangerous contact neck/head charge at the judiciary coming from St George Illawarra’s win over North Queensland on Friday night.

Privately, the Blues camp is frustrated the judiciary hearing wasn’t held on Monday night to give NSW additional clarity about their team.

Klemmer knows he will come directly into the NSW should Sims be found guilty at the judiciary. If Sims is successful, Klemmer misses out. Fittler has spoken to Klemmer about the unusual situation which he has reluctantly accepted.

Nathan Cleary on crutches after Game II. Player: AAP

“If Sims is out, Klemmer comes in,” confirmed Alexander. “If Nathan isn’t fit, Wade would play five-eighth.”

Gutherson will be handed his chance off the bench should Cleary withdraw. It is unknown whether Matterson will be called in later this week as 19th man.

“Obviously Nathan Cleary, there is an issue around his ankle and we’ll see how that goes over the next couple of days,” Fittler told Nine. “But it feels like there’s going to be some pretty good news around his injury.

“The other one of course is Tariq Sims. He has to go to the judiciary. Hopefully he will be okay. And I have spoken to David Klemmer and if Tariq Sims was unable to get a downgrade or be cleared, David Klemmer would come into the team.”

The Blues have a media session this morning in Bondi before a boxing class this afternoon in Woolloomooloo. Players have a day off on Wednesday before starting full training at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Thursday.

Originally published as Brad Fittler’s heavyweight omission for State of Origin decider