Dane Gagai in doubt for State of Origin 1 as injury crisis rocks Maroons
QUEENSLAND’s nightmare build-up has received a ray of hope with Maroons winger Dane Gagai ready to play, despite suffering a compound dislocation of his finger during training.
Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
QUEENSLAND’s nightmare build-up has received a ray of hope with Maroons winger Dane Gagai given the green light to play in Origin I after being cleared of a broken hand.
Just 24 hours after Billy Slater withdrew with a hamstring injury, Queensland’s preparations were thrown into disarray when Gagai suffered a compound dislocation of his finger at the Maroons’ captain’s run on Tuesday.
But scans cleared Gagai of serious damage, ensuring the Test flyer will take his place on the right flank for a showdown with NSW speed machine Josh Addo-Carr in the MCG opener.
NRL DAILY: Queensland name team for Game One
INJURY BLOW: How Billy Slater put Queensland first
CRUCIAL ROLE: Holmes unveiled as Maroons goalkicker
Gagai’s clearance means the prospect of a dream debut for young gun Kalyn Ponga has been put on ice as the Maroons nominated Michael Morgan to fill the Slater void at fullback.
Gagai was seen at the team hotel last night in good spirits chasing his son and while he will take the field with stitches in his bandaged right hand, Maroons coach Kevin Walters backed him to fire.
“Dane did say, ‘I won’t be missing this game regardless’ – he will be playing,” Walters said.
“It was a compound dislocation. The scans showed there is no break there which is a good thing.
“He was in a fair bit of pain but he came back and finished off the session. That is a positive for ‘Gags’.”
Dane Gagai has today suffered a compound dislocation of his finger at training. Unlikely to play Origin 1 in just over 24 hours time, but it is possible. If dislocation was clean (minimal ligament/tendon damage) risk of infection main roadblock, pain tolerance an issue as well.
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 5, 2018
Entering his third series as coach, Walters concedes this has been his most turbulent preparation yet with injury dramas and the retirement of his Big Three – Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk – testing his squad’s resolve.
Despite having won 11 of the past 12 series, the Maroons will start Origin I tonight as underdogs, but Walters believes the leadership of new skipper Greg Inglis can protect the most ruthless dynasty in Origin history.
“As Queenslanders, I just see a real unity among the team,” he said.
“Greg Inglis is a big factor in everything we have done this week around his captaincy and the guys will get behind Greg and support him in every way.
“In my short tenure as coach, I haven’t experienced the week that we have with our senior players not available.
“We’ve lost Billy, but that’s what Origin is, it challenges everyone.”
Morgan, out of form this season for the Cowboys, is facing an Everest-style challenge. There was a concerted push for the 20-year-old Ponga to be blooded at fullback, but Walters opted for Morgan’s experience and Milford’s game-breaking potential on the bench.
“’Morgs’ has been our Mr Fixit for several years and been outstanding,” Walters said.
“Kalyn played last Saturday night for the Knights, that is putting too much pressure on him to play at this level with limited preparation.
“Morgo’s last couple of weeks at fullback for the Cowboys has turned around their attack. He is a mature player and can handle the expectation that comes with playing fullback for the Maroons.”
Walters also dismissed concerns halfback Ben Hunt was in doubt with a thigh injury.
“Ben is right to go,” he said. “He has trained strongly on Friday, Sunday and now Tuesday. He has some strapping on his leg but he will be right to go.
“He has progressed well during the week and he’s excited to get his first run-on game for Queensland.”
QUEENSLAND LINE-UP
14. Michael Morgan
2. Valentine Holmes
3. Greg Inglis
4. Will Chambers
5. Dane Gagai
6. Cameron Munster
7. Ben Hunt
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Andrew McCullough
10. Dylan Napa
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Gavin Cooper
13. Josh McGuire
Interchange:
15. Coen Hess
16. Jai Arrow
17. Josh Papalii
19. Anthony Milford
Originally published as Dane Gagai in doubt for State of Origin 1 as injury crisis rocks Maroons