Blues prop Payne Haas yet to train with team, Utoikamanu on standby for extraordinary call-up

Blues prop Stefano Utoikamanu may have just 12 hours to prepare for an extraordinary call-up into the NSW starting side for State of Origin I as NSW sweats on the fitness of Payne Haas.

Blues prop Stefano Utoikamanu may have just 12 hours to prepare for an extraordinary call-up into the NSW starting side for State of Origin I.

NSW coach Laurie Daley has revealed Utoikamanu would be rushed directly into the Blues run-on side should prop Payne Haas been ruled out with a quad injury.

It would be remarkable late inclusion for the Melbourne Storm giant, who played his one-game for NSW in 2023.

Haas ran lightly away from the team at training on Saturday and will be asked to show some improvement when NSW train at Ballymore in Brisbane on Monday morning.

Given Haas is the NRL’s best prop, Daley will give him until game day, Wednesday morning, to prove his fitness.

While NSW remain confident Haas will be declared fit, Utoikamanu has been told he could shift from extra reserve to starting prop within a matter of hours.

Daley will resist the temptation to start either Spencer Leniu or Max King should Haas withdraw.

Stefano Utoikamanu (C) will be parachuted into the starting side should Payne Haas be ruled out. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

It would be a remarkable rise for Utoikamanu, originally named 19th man.

While Utoikamanu has been privately preparing to play all week, the stark reality would only come around 12 hours before kick-off.

“Stefano will start and go straight in if Payne is ruled out,” said Daley.

“We’re still very hopeful Payne will play but if doesn’t play then Stefano will come straight from the outside-in.

“Stefano will get himself in the right head space to play because he knows he will start if Payne is out. We told Stefano that from day one and that’s what he’s done.

“He (Utoikamanu) has trained all week and trained really well so if he gets an opportunity he won’t let anyone down.

“We will know more about Payne on Monday and get a better understanding of where he’s at.”

Asked would Haas train with the side on Monday, Daley said: “We’ll just see how he’s tracking. We will get a recovery report from the physio.

“He trained away from the group on Saturday. We’re confident he will be right.”

Pressed on when he would make a final call on Utoikamanu, Daley said: “We will give him until the day of the game.”

Melbourne middle Utoikamanu clearly has a strong supporter in Storm coach and NSW assistant Craig Bellamy.

Aside from the Haas injury, Daley has no plans to make any late changes to his starting side.

“We’re just focusing on ourselves,” Daley said.

NSW had a day off from training and flew to Brisbane on Sunday. The Blues will have a light captain’s run at Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday before playing Origin I on Wednesday night.

After several days in the Blue Mountains rain, NSW trained in some fine weather at Penrith on Saturday.

Daley confirmed halfback Nathan Cleary will be NSW’s goal kicker.

BLUE’S FLOOD TERROR

- Michael Carayannis

Front-row partner Mitch Barnett said Haas would be a massive inclusion as he battles a quadriceps injury.

“If he is not the best front-rower in the game he is in the top two or three,” Barnett said.

“Just having him out there – his presence – even if he is 100 per cent fit or not it will give blokes a lift in that locker room. I’m looking forward to running out alongside him again.”

Haas’ fitness is not the only thing at the top of Barnett’s mind after his family were severely impacted by the floods which have gripped NSW.

Barnett was born in Taree, but grew up in Wingham.

His dad Paul has lost countless cattle while mum Jodie has been working as general manager of Manning Base Hospital.

“My old man had some damage to the farm; we don’t know how bad yet because he’s still trapped,” Barnett said.

Payne Haas still hasn’t trained with the Blues team. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“My mum is a GM at the Manning Base Hospital, and she’s been working overtime with my sisters and the rest of the nurses to help the community.

“A lot of people have medical issues who have been stuck in the floods and been getting flown in.

“It’s better now because the water levels have dropped. But seeing some of the photos, it’s extremely sad. It was scary there for a bit. My family are safe, which is good news. But hearing some of the stories, how people have lost their animals through drowning, you don’t think about it until you’re impacted by it.

“People go through hard times, they all get around each other, and that’s the good thing about Australia … they’ll all get around each other, and one thing I will be proud of is seeing them rally together.”

Originally published as Blues prop Payne Haas yet to train with team, Utoikamanu on standby for extraordinary call-up