State of Origin: NSW Blues blow as Stephen Crichton injured at training

NSW’s preparations for Wednesday night’s must-win State of Origin clash have suffered a late setback.

Stephen Crichton during a Blues training session. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

In a late blow to the Blues, Penrith centre Stephen Crichton has gone down with a hamstring at NSW training injury and been ruled out of contention for State of Origin II.

Crichton was on standby for any NSW outside back ahead of Wednesday night’s do-or-die game at ANZ Stadium.

The Panthers grand final centre twinged his hamstring late in a training session at Morry Breen Oval, Wyong, on Monday and has been ruled out as precaution.

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Stephen Crichton twinged his hamstring at a Blues training session. Picture: Grant Trouville/NRL Photos

The Daily Telegraph has been told St George Illawarra centre Zac Lomax will be NSW’s new backline standby player.

It is understood Dragons teammate Cam McInnes will be the Blues’ second player on standby for a late injury.

Aside from Crichton’s injury, NSW trained strongly ahead of the big game against Queensland.