Secret hand injury has Maroons firebrand Dylan Napa in doubt for State of Origin II

Queensland prop Dylan Napa is battling a secret hand injury that could rule him out of Origin II as the Bulldog races against time to prove his fitness.

Canterbury's Dylan Napa suffered a hand injury against the Sydney Roosters. Credit: Fox Sports

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Queensland firebrand Dylan Napa is battling a secret hand injury which threatens to rule him out of Origin II.

The Daily Telegraph can reveal the Maroons enforcer is in doubt to take his place in Sunday’s game after aggravating his hand during Canterbury’s loss to the Roosters last Sunday. Napa has played on with the injury in recent weeks but re-injured his hand in the opening exchanges of his match against his old club last Sunday at the SCG.

Scans revealed Napa has a small break in one of his wrist bones.

The Maroons plan to give him every chance to prove his fitness.

It’s another blow for Queensland following news matchwinner from game one, Dane Gagai, is battling a virus.

Maroons doctor Matt Hislop confirmed scans revealed a break

“Dylan has a small break in one of his wrist bones and we’re providing treatment to give him every chance to play,” Hislop said.

Napa grimaced immediately when he was tackled by Roosters trio Cooper Cronk, Nat Butcher and Angus Crichton after just six minutes. He favoured his right hand when he was tackled by Crichton again and Roosters lock Isaac Liu 10 minutes later. The 26-year-old continued to be hampered by the injury but finished the game with 23 tackles and 10 runs from a 49-minute stint.

Napa suffered a hand injury against the Roosters. Credit: Fox Sports

While Napa has managed to play on with the injury in recent weeks there were fresh concerns about the seriousness of the latest setback.

Napa was in Perth Tuesday with the rest of the Maroons squad. The Queensland forward pack has already been ravaged by injury with Jai Arrow and Joe Ofahengaue sidelined through injury. Napa has been prompted to the starting side having started Origin I off the interchange bench.

The Maroons have uncapped Melbourne prop Christian Welch as part of their extended squad.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters gave little away about Napa’s injury concerns when he fronted the media this week where he heaped praise on his prop.

Can Napa take the field in Perth? Picture by Phil Hillyard.

“I just feel the time is right for Dylan Napa to make his mark at this level,” Walters said. “It’s really disappointing to lose Jai because his workrate and attitude typifies everything about this Queensland team, but by starting Dylan, I’m giving him this opportunity to show us what he’s got.

“I’ll back Dylan. He has played some good games for Queensland.

“He’s got nothing to prove except to his teammates and the state of Queensland that he is an Origin player.”

The Maroons made two changes to their Origin I winning side with Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace brought onto their bench.

Originally published as Secret hand injury has Maroons firebrand Dylan Napa in doubt for State of Origin II