State of Origin news: How NSW will use Jake Trbojevic, Liam Martin misses training with turf toe injury

NSW skipper Jake Trbojevic has hit back at criticism over his limited game time in State of Origin I, opening up on the Blues’ revamped interchange policy.

DAILY TELEGRAPH JUNE 3, 2024. Liam Martin during the NSW Blues training session at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park. Picture: Jonathan Ng

NSW skipper Jake Trbojevic has hit back at criticism over his limited game time in State of Origin I, declaring: “It’s not the under 8s where you share your minutes.”

Trbojevic was used twice for a miserly total of 29 minutes in the opening game, his last stint being just four minutes long.

NSW coach Michael Maguire revealed the send-off of Joseph Suaalii after eight minutes prompted a revamped interchange policy which left captain Trbojevic stranded on the bench.

“It’s a professional sport and I’m a grown man,” Trbojevic said.

The NSW Blues plan on giving Jake Trbojevic more minutes in Origin II, provided the Blues don’t suffer another send-off. Picture: NRL Photos

“It’s a tough one but that’s the way it goes. It’s not the under 8s where you share your minutes. This is (sport) at the highest level.

“The way the game worked out, you’ve got to realise, we were chasing points with a man down. I get it. I see how it works.

“So you’ve got an edge four, the other edge four, a hooker and two middles so chasing points with one less middle, I’m probably not the man for that, to be fair. You probably need someone with a bit more leg speed.

“I’ve been around for a while and I completely understand. He (coach Michael Maguire) did (explain why) but he didn’t have to.

“A lot of things that were planned went out the window. You don’t plan to be a man down, do you? You plan for all scenarios except that. If you play for the Blues, it doesn’t matter how many minutes you get.

“If I got picked in the team and my role was to play five minutes, I wouldn’t care because I’ve got to play for the Blues. I would do that every day of the week and it’s the same with Manly.”

Trbojevic will be given more game time in Melbourne, provided NSW doesn’t encounter any further left-field dramas.

Trbojevic stranded on the bench in Origin I, alongside 18th man Matt Burton. Picture: Getty Images

A devoted cricket fan, who has attended the Boxing Day cricket Test six times, Trbojevic is pumped to be leading his state onto the hallowed MCG.

“To lead them out at the MCG, it’s iconic and one of the most famous grounds in Australia, it’s going to be a great life experience,” he said.

“I played there game one in 2018 when it was my brother’s (Tom) debut so I remember it well. There were 87,000 fans there. It was a phenomenal night, a really cool experience.

“The lucky thing is we have the chance to turn it around and we have to, don’t we?”

Trbojevic claimed it was “surreal” to lead NSW onto Accor Stadium in game one.

“It didn’t feel real if I’m being honest,” Trbojevic said. “It was a big shock. I was just hoping to be picked in the team. I was nervous, don’t get me wrong, I get nervous every game.

“It was a great honour … if you’d seen how proud my family were. I feel more comfortable coming into this camp. I’m here for a reason and I have good people around me.

“I have to back myself and be passionate. I’m doing my best, that’s all I can do. I just have to go out and be me.”

NSW remain in camp at Leura and won’t return to Sydney until Saturday.

BLUES ON NOTICE AS MARTIN FAILS TO TRAIN

NSW forward Liam Martin sat out Blues training on Wednesday with a foot injury, believed to be turf toe.

Martin was sidelined watching teammates train for the first time this camp at Blue Mountains Grammar School in Wentworth Falls.

The Panthers backrower has ligament damage which was monitored before selection for Origin II in Melbourne.

Liam Martin was unable to train with the Blues today. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Turf toe is an injury to the foot’s soft tissue structure.

It is understood Martin will likely have a painkilling injection to play the MCG game.

Martin injured his foot in Origin I.

His crunching hit on Queensland’s J’maine Hopgood was a rare highlight for the Blues in Sydney.

NSW will train at Blue Mountains Grammar School again on Thursday.