Boyd Cordner rib injury headlines cast of big-name casualties from Origin 2

BOYD Cordner remains hopeful of playing in next month’s Origin decider in Brisbane despite hurting his calf against Queensland on Wednesday night.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — JUNE 21: Boyd Cordner of the Blues leaves the ground with an injury during game two of the State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on June 21, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

NSW captain Boyd Cordner remains hopeful of playing in next month’s Origin decider in Brisbane despite hurting his calf against Queensland on Wednesday night.

The good news comes as Queensland’s Darius Boyd was ruled out of game three with a broken thumb.

Cordner won’t play for the Sydney Roosters against Melbourne in Adelaide Saturday night, so he can stay in Sydney to receive treatment on his calf.

The Roosters’ co-captain is still awaiting scan results, but he is optimistic he’ll be fit to lead NSW into battle against the Maroons at Suncorp Stadium on July 12.

A cast of stars were hurt in Wednesday night’s brutal Origin contest at ANZ Stadium.

Fellow NSW star Tyson Frizell aggravated the rib injury he’d been carrying but the extent of the damage is yet to be confirmed.

Frizell was named as 19th man for Sunday’s match against Newcastle, but St George Illawarra officials remain hopeful he’ll play.

Dragons Head of Athletic Performance Nathan Pickworth said Frizell and Josh Dugan are on track to back up from Origin duty.

“They’ve both got a couple of corks and bumps and bruises, but they’ve pulled up reasonably well,” Pickworth said.

“With a bit of rest and recovery hopefully they’ll progress through to be right for us on Sunday.”

NSW fullback James Tedesco has been ruled out of the Wests Tigers’ must-win clash against the Gold Coast on Friday with an ankle injury.

Tigers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed his gun No. 1 would not line up at Campbelltown Sports Stadium, but the injury suffered in Origin would not sideline him long term.

For the Bulldogs, NSW players Brett Morris, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson left ANZ Stadium immediately after the match and headed for accommodation at Sydney Airport.

The team flew out on Thursday morning for their Friday night clash against the Warriors. Morris has been ruled out and will not play.

Cordner left the field in the final moments.

Broncos star Boyd will undergo surgery, meaning the Maroons will have to reshuffle their matchwinning backline from Origin II.

Centre Will Chambers failed a concussion test during Origin and won’t play for the Storm against the Roosters in Adelaide on Saturday night.

Maroons matchwinner Johnathan Thurston has played down his shoulder injury, which has ruled him out of the Cowboys’ clash against the Panthers on Saturday night.

On Thursday morning, Thurston said his shoulder felt better than what it did after the match and that it was only a ‘cork’.

“I’ve got a good range (of movement), so that’s a positive sign,” Thurston said.

“I’ll reassess when I get back (to Townsville) and talk to my medical staff there. If they give me the go-ahead, it should be fine,” he said.

“It’s too early to call (for game three). We’ll just wait and see.”

“Like I said, I trust the medical staff we’ve got. They know my body better than anyone. If they give me the green light, then I’m ready to roll.”