State of Origin selection news: Pat Carrigan to see plastic surgeon, Murray Taulagi ruled out

Patrick Carrigan will consult a plastic surgeon in a bid to be cleared for Game I, as coach Billy Slater counts the costs of a growing injury toll. Follow the latest Qld team news.

Broncos stars Pat Carrigan and Selwyn Cobbo have sent scares through Camp Maroon on the eve of Origin selection as Queensland lost winger Murray Taulagi.

Taulagi sustained a calf injury in North Queensland’s loss to Manly on Saturday night and has been ruled out of the series-opener.

Meanwhile, Carrigan will consult a plastic surgeon on Monday after sustaining a badly split lip in Sunday’s 30-26 loss to the Dragons at Suncorp Stadium.

Carrigan finished the game with blood streaming from his mouth and Broncos medical staff were unable to repair it on-site.

He will visit a plastic surgeon on Monday and needs to be cleared for Wednesday week’s Origin series-opener.

Patrick Carrigan was sporting a busted mouth at Suncorp Stadium.

While the injury is not considered serious, it is in an awkward position and could take time to heal, meaning Carrigan is in doubt.

It was a weekend of injury madness for the Maroons after backrower Tom Gilbert sustained a pec injury and Taulagi was sidelined.

Cobbo is in the mix to replace the Cowboys winger after originally being on the outer for selection and suffering a wrist injury scare.

Broncos coach Michael Maguire expected Cobbo to be available for selection.

“They’re ok,” Broncos coach Michael Maguire said.

“Patty had a split. He’s been playing tough for us.

“Would Selwyn do well at Origin? He’s done it before.”

CAPTAIN RETAINS SPOT

- Brent Read

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans has capped a big 24 hours by retaining his place in the Maroons side.

It is understood the Queensland Rugby League has informed Manly that Cherry-Evans will be in the Maroons squad for the opening game of the State of Origin series.

Cherry-Evans has had a mixed start to the season after informing the Sea Eagles that he would leave the club at the end of the year.

Some pundits had suggested his form could cost him his Maroons jersey but having helped inspire the Sea Eagles to a big win over North Queensland on Saturday night, Cherry-Evans is set to retain the Queensland No.7 jersey ahead of Tom Dearden.

The Cowboys playmaker is set to be handed the utility bench role.

COTTER CONFIRMED

- Peter Badel

Queensland coach Billy Slater has shown faith in Reuben Cotter by retaining the Cowboys ironman for Origin I.

Despite having missed the past fortnight due to a two-match suspension, Cotter will be picked in the Maroons side for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

Cotter was originally tipped to come off the bench given his lack of match conditioning but he could be thrust into the starting side following Tom Gilbert’s pec injury.

MAROONS SELECTION NEWS

• It’s understood Bulldogs workhorse Kurt Mann has forced his way into the Queensland squad.

• Dragons centre Valentine Holmes has retained his spot in Queensland’s backline after being told to remain in Brisbane following Sunday’s win against the Broncos.

• Kurt Capewell has been overlooked by Maroons coach Billy Slater after he flew back to New Zealand with the Warriors on Sunday morning.

• Beau Fermor and Kurt Mann will battle it out for a Queensland Origin debut following Gilbert’s latest injury setback.