Queensland boosted as Michael Morgan cleared of concussion
Queensland’s Game 3 preparations have been given a shot in the arm with star centre Michael Morgan shaking off the ill effects of Tariq Sims’ brutal late hit which left him dazed and confused.
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Queensland centre Michael Morgan has been cleared to play in next week’s Origin decider after overcoming a heavy concussion last Friday night.
The Cowboys captain was knocked out by Dragons forward Tariq Sims in a “tackle off the ball” and has been on non-contact training duties all week in Camp Maroon.
Sims was subsequently found guilty of a dangerous contact charge at the NRL judiciary which has rubbed him out of the NSW side for next week’s clash at ANZ Stadium.
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Morgan said he had been given the all-clear by Maroons doctors on Thursday to return to full-contact training.
“It’s all good now,” Morgan said.
“I was pretty dazed on Friday night but since then I’ve had no headaches or dizziness, so I’m right.
“I don’t actually remember it and I don’t remember the next half-hour or so.
“I don’t know if I even did the HIA test in the sheds when I got in there. I was pretty rocked.
“Since then, I’ve felt pretty good.”
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Morgan admitted he didn’t think there was any malice in Sims’ tackle but there had been contact with the head which had “knocked him out cold”.
He was named as a possible fullback option in place of injured No.1 Kalyn Ponga but was on Wednesday positioned at left centre.
Speculation has continued around the five-eighth position, however, with Morgan spotted doing much of the kicking during training instead of debutant No.6 Corey Norman.
Morgan said it had simply been a case of not having anything else to do while he was on no-contact duties.
“The kicks were more for Munny (Cameron Munster) up the back,” he said.
“Because the other boys were doing contact, it was so I wasn’t standing around doing nothing.
“I didn’t know where I was playing until I got in (to camp).
“Normy is there and he has his chance of playing in the No.6. I get to support him.”
Morgan said Munster’s chance to play fullback was a huge boost for the Maroons, who will be trying to avoid successive series defeats for the first time since 2005.
“The more he can get his hands on the ball, the better for us,” he said.
“Everyone has seen what he can do when he goes out and plays his style of footy, which at times is a bit off-the-cuff.”
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