State of Origin Game 2 2024: Queensland Maroons star Jeremiah Nanai misses training with calf injury
A Maroons star is racing the clock to overcome a calf injury, after sending a scare through Queensland camp after missing a training session. See the latest team news.
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The Maroons have a suffered a scare with star back-rower Jeremiah Nanai racing the clock to overcome a calf injury for Origin II this Wednesday night.
Nanai failed to train with the Maroons on Thursday, with the Cowboys superstar sitting out the entire session less than a week out from the return bout against the Blues at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The 21-year-old was on light duties on Tuesday at Queensland’s fan day in Toowoomba and Maroons medicos have placed Nanai in cotton wool for the second consecutive training session.
While the Maroons ramped up preparations at Sanctuary Cove on the Gold Coast, Nanai trained on his own away from the main group, doing some light running behind the goalposts.
Nanai had a compression sleeve on his right calf, triggering fears he could be in danger of missing Origin II at the MCG and Queensland’s attempt to secure a hat-trick of titles in straight sets.
The Queensland camp were tight-lipped about the extent of Nanai’s injury, but it’s understood Maroons coach Billy Slater is confident of the classy back-rower getting the green light to take on the Blues.
Nanai was inspirational in the series opener. Traditionally renowned for his lethal line running in attack, Nanai chalked up a Maroons-high 43 tackles in Queensland’s 38-10 drubbing of the Blues at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
Nanai will continue to receive treatment with a view to the Kangaroos forward running with the main group in the coming days.
A spokesman from Nanai’s Cowboys club remains optimistic the Maroons back-rower will play, saying: “He’s all right. It’s a little niggle from last week, they’re not worried about him.”
But calf injuries are notoriously fickle and if Nanai plays, as expected, the Maroons will be hoping he doesn’t break down early at the MCG after losing Reece Walsh to concussion just seven minutes into Origin I.
With Nanai unable to train fully, recalled Maroons Mr Fixit Kurt Capewell and Felise Kaufusi filled in, alternating on Queensland’s right edge.
In the absence of Game One bench hero Selwyn Cobbo, Capewell has been chosen for his versatility and will have no trouble slotting into the back-row if Nanai fails to pass a fitness test for Origin II.
“I have played a bit of centre, played a bit of back row and played in the middle,” Capewell said.
“I am happy to fill in wherever I can and help out and do whatever the team needs.
“It is a chance to go out and get the job done for Queensland.”
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Originally published as State of Origin Game 2 2024: Queensland Maroons star Jeremiah Nanai misses training with calf injury
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