Picture gallery: NSW Blues day off as stars hit the golf course

Armed with golf clubs and GoPros, Blues players hit the golf course on their day off, with Jarome Luai wasting little time showing Queensland what they’ll be in for. SEE THE PHOTOS.

The NSW Blues blew off some steam playing golf in the Blue Mountains.

Jarome Luai has wasted no time getting back in the swing of Origin.

Little more than 12 hours since being rushed into Blues camp following the withdrawal of injured five-eighth Mitchell Moses, Luai joined some of his NSW teammates on the golf course.

Blues players enjoyed their day off in the Blue Mountains on Friday before they were due to relocate back to Sydney, where coach Laurie Daley’s men will finalise preparations for State of Origin II on Wednesday night.

Luai will take part in his first training session on Saturday at Olympic Park as he rekindles his halves partnership with Nathan Cleary. The Blues will fly out on Saturday afternoon to Perth, where they will look to complete a 2-0 series win over Queensland.

Blues enforcer Spencer Leniu films Jarome Luai’s shot as Stefano Utoikamanu and Stephen Crichton watch on at Leura Golf Club on Friday. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Utoikamanu, Nathan Cleary and Luai head out onto the course. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Leniu and Crichton. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Crichton, To’o, Leniu and Utoikamanu on the green. Picture: Rohan Kelly

On Friday however, a fair way from Optus Stadium, Luai took to the Leura Golf Course for a bonding session alongside fellow ex-Panthers Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton, Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu and best friend Brian To’o.

Armed with golf clubs and GoPros, the group filmed their antics as they took shots at each other, and occasionally hit a golf ball, as their laughs echoed across the par-70 mountain course.

Luai has only six days to get up to speed with Daley’s Perth plans. However, judging by how seamlessly the 28-year-old fitted slipped into his familiar routine on Friday, it’s easy to see why the NSW coach opted for him.

And why the Maroons should be on alert come Wednesday night.

Spencer Leniu and Brian To’o get the cameras out as Stephen Crichton goes to tee off. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Crichton sends one down the fairway. Picture: Rohan Kelly

And reacts to his shot. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Stephen Crichton, Stefano Utoikamanu Spencer Leniu, Brian To’o and Jarome Luai share a laugh while putting. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Teeing off just before them, Blues 18th man Matt Burton teamed up with Cleary after being overlooked as the man to play alongside him in the NSW halves following Moses’ calf injury.

Burton and Cleary shared a cart and took on Panthers players Isaah Yeo, Dylan Edwards and Lindsay Smith in an Ambrose-style clash.

Canterbury five-eighth Burton will fly with the Blues to Perth, where he will be NSW 18th man for the fifth time.

BEARS’ BID TO LURE CLEARY WEST

Cleary will head west to Perth for Origin, but there is a looming push to keep him there long-term.

Penrith’s biggest threat to keeping their halfback could be a family tie to the NRL’s newest franchise, the Perth Bears.

Just days after Mal Meninga was named coach of the new Perth outfit, former North Sydney Bears star and Nathan Cleary’s uncle, Josh Stuart, revealed the club is very interested in luring his nephew west.

Cleary sends one down the fairway. Picture: Rohan Kelly

But he isn’t overly impressed with it. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Or the fact it’s been captured on camera. Picture: Rohan Kelly

MOSES’ DEVASTATING INJURY BLOW

Moses was a shock late withdrawal from the Blues’ side after suffering a calf injury at training on Thursday.

He is facing up to six weeks on the sideline, ruling him out for the remainder of the State of Origin series for NSW.

Scans of the star halfback’s calf injury has revealed the bitter blow to both the Eels and Blues fortunes.

Revered for his diligent focus towards rehabilitating injuries, Moses is privately hoping to be back between three to five weeks.

There are 25 days until Origin III and given Blues coach Laurie Daley will need his playmaker’s training in the 10-day build-up to the final match of the series, Moses’ hopes of playing are forlorn.

Lindsay Smith chips onto the green as Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo watch on. Picture: Rohan Kelly

NSW captain Yeo knocks one onto the green. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Matt Burton (right) attempts to sink a long-range putt. Picture: Rohan Kelly

WATCH: TEEN STARS DESTINED FOR NRLW GREATNESS

Some have ties to some of the biggest names in rugby league, others are playmaking whiz kids at the centre of code tug-of-wars. PAMELA WHALEY profiles some of the best athletes in Australian and New Zealand sport.

MAHONEY’S AGENT ADDRESSES CLAIMS HOOKER IS ON OUTER

Reed Mahoney’s has been given permission to negotiate with rival clubs, with revelations he won’t be offered a new deal when his current contract expires.

However, his agent has denied suggestions the Bulldogs hooker is on the nose at Belmore, insisting it “couldn’t be further from the truth” that the club is showing him the door after signing Lachlan Galvin.

Utoikamanu watches on as Luai putts. Picture: Rohan Kelly

To’o and Luai with the camera out. Picture: Rohan Kelly

MAROONS’ LENIU BLUNDER WILL HURT FOR YEARS TO COME

The Maroons have had their courage questioned in a way no other Queensland side have before ahead of State of Origin II, writes MATTY JOHNS.

Queensland have explained away why they didn’t kick to Spencer Leniu in game one at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and made valid points. But, as Johns explains, sometimes the smart play isn’t the right play.

HOW MAROONS’ DEBUTANT CHEATED DEATH

Kurt Mann will become the oldest Maroons debutant since Arthur Beetson on Wednesday night. The 32-year-old’s tough-as-teak resilience can be traced to a childhood in the Queensland bush which almost killed him – twice.