Rabbitohs star Adam Reynolds in serious doubt for Origin I following leg injury
First Luke Keary, then Mitchell Pearce, now Adam Reynolds — Blues coach Brad Fittler’s Blues side has been thrown into utter chaos by a raft of injuries. SEE THE LIKELY TEAMS HERE.
Rabbitohs
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rabbitohs. Followed categories will be added to My News.
INJURED: Keary out of Origin I
SLUMP: Raiders go down to Cowboys
Adam Reynolds turned Brad Fittler’s State of Origin selection headache into a full-blown migraine on Saturday night after the South Sydney halfback suffered a possible leg fracture.
Reynolds had stormed into Origin contention to play alongside Souths teammate Cody Walker in the NSW halves on a day of high-drama that saw leading Blues candidates Luke Keary and Mitchell Pearce declared unavailable for selection.
Penrith’s Nathan Cleary is now likely to retain his NSW No. 7 jersey if scans on Sunday reveal Reynolds suffered a fractured fibula against the Wests Tigers at ANZ Stadium Saturday night.
“We’ll just have to wait and see what sort of results we get tomorrow,’’ NSW advisor Greg Alexander said of Reynolds’ injury on Fox Sports.
Reynolds left the Olympic Stadium on crutches, with a best-case scenario of a leg contusion keeping his Origin hopes alive.
Fittler will announce his NSW side for Origin I at 6pm tonight. Be it alongside Cleary or Reynolds, the freakish Walker is expected to make his NSW debut at the age of 29, making him the oldest five-eighth debutant in Origin history.
The Blues have confidence in Cleary after he stood up when it mattered for a struggling Penrith side that toppled Parramatta on Thursday night.
However, unlike last year, when his proven partnership with Panthers teammate James Maloney paid dividends in bringing Queensland undone, Cleary has no previous experience with Walker.
It’s a major concern for the Blues, given the unfamiliar duo could have just 10 days before the June 5 blockbuster in Brisbane to bed down trust, attacking structure and a winning combination.
Physiotherapist Brien Seeney, the man behind the NRL Physio Twitter account, said it didn’t look promising for Reynolds.
“The best case scenario is it’s just a contusion — so it’s just a cork to the lower muscles of the outer lower leg,’’ Seeney said. “The significant concern is that he has actually suffered a fracture to his fibula.
“The position of the ice and the fact he required crutches is a concerning sign but X-ray will be the ultimate assessment tool. If a fibula fracture is confirmed the usual recovery time is four to eight weeks.”
Ice position for Adam Reynolds confirms main concern is for fibula/outside of the leg. Still best case is just a contusion (cork) to the peroneals (muscles on outside of the leg), but fibula fracture definitely a concern. Fingers crossed for him #NRLSouthsTigers pic.twitter.com/hZVAalAFxC
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 25, 2019
South Sydney captain Sam Burgess said the team would rally around Reynolds.
“It’s not looking good for Adam. It’d be sad, he really deserves it,’’ Burgess said.
“We’ll manage the disappointment and get around him if he doesn’t make it and we’ll stick together and just do what’s good for the team.’’
Prior to the final round before Origin selection, Keary was the overwhelming favourite to be named NSW five-eighth, but he was yesterday ruled out because of a concussion.
Adding to the Keary dilemma is that Pearce is also unavailable for the Blues due to a groin injury.
Knights medical staff informed the NSWRL yesterday that Pearce wouldn’t be able to run until Thursday.
There is serious concern for Keary’s immediate health after he suffered his third concussion in six months against the Knights on Friday night.
So sick was Keary that his partner drove him home from Newcastle late on Friday night. Knocked out in the eighth minute of the match, Keary’s concussion was his second this season.
Blues chief advisor Greg Alexander said it was a simple decision to rule out Keary after talking to Fittler.
“We decided it would be negligent of us to even consider Luke after the way he was knocked out up in Newcastle and what he’s gone through already this year and what he’s gone through in his recent history of concussions,’’ Alexander told Fox League last night.
The Blues are also considering several bolters and debutants. Veteran Cronulla centre Josh Morris has emerged as the frontrunner to nail the vacant right-centre position.
Morris can secure a return to the Origin arena for the first time since 2016 with a powerful performance against St George Illawarra in Wollongong today.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou is heavily favoured to earn his first Blues jersey since 2015 ahead of Eels winger Blake Ferguson.
And in what would be dream come true, Wests Tigers utility Ryan Matterson, Canberra’s Jack Wighton and Brisbane young gun Payne Hass have all been subjects of intense discussion.
Matterson has been in superb form since switching from the Roosters to the Tigers this year and boasts great versatility in being able to fill any position in the halves, centres or backrow.
Inside Murray’s secret pain during horror year
A candid Cameron Murray has revealed just how difficult last year’s horror campaign was for him and Souths.
When Wayne will unleash superfit Latrell against NRL rivals
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has revealed when Latrell Mitchell will make his return, as the Rabbitohs star shows off his career-best physique. WATCH THE VIDEO.