NSW Blues star Stephen Crichton cleared to play in State of Origin Game I

The NSW Blues have received a massive boost on the eve of State of Origin game one, with Stephen Crichton shaking off an injury concern.

NSW centre Stephen Crichton has been passed fit for State of Origin I.

It’s now all-systems-go for the Blues.

Crichton sustained a cork at training Monday and was given immediate medical treatment.

The Bulldogs star sat out NSW’s final training run on Tuesday morning but was declared fit at 6pm.

Crichton’s inclusion is a massive boost for NSW, who will also field big Payne Haas, a prop who had been troubled all week by a quad injury.

It means Campbell Graham will remain on standby.

Stephen Crichton has been cleared to play for NSW in State of Origin Game I. Picture: NRL Images

GOULD PAINTS GRIM CRICHTON PICTURE AFTER BURTON SOS

Matt Burton has been called into NSW State of Origin camp due to concerns over the fitness of Blues centre and Bulldogs teammate Stephen Crichton.

Crichton was forced from the training field at Ballymore in Brisbane on Monday due to a suspected corked leg.

The Blues have kept the Canterbury club informed of the issue and remain confident that Crichton will take his position in the backline for NSW on Wednesday night.

Burton will enter Blues camp as additional cover with Rabbitohs centre Campbell Graham and NSW 18th man the likely replacement should Crichton be ruled out.

Bulldogs head of football Phil Gould added fuel to speculation about Crichton’s injury status, although he insisted the Bulldogs captain had become adept at playing through pain.

“Hopefully he’ll play,” Gould said on 100% Footy on Monday night.

“But it’s a little worse than first expected. I mean he’s now in the hands of the New South Wales medical staff and I trust them.

“He’d have to be 100 per cent. Now Stephen Crichton, I said to them that he’s a very resilient chap.

“He plays with injuries all the time. He’ll know whether or not he can play it.

“At this level, the players know what they can and can’t tolerate. There’s no way he’s going to risk it and jeopardise a team performance.

“He knows it’s important and he knows he’s got a great replacement there in Campbell Graham, who has trained with the team all week.

“They’ll make the right decision. I trust them to do that. Other than that I just hope he’s okay and he gets to play.”

BLUES INJURY CLUES

Big Payne is ready to play and ‘Critta’ should be good to go, too.

That was the positive upshot after a concerning day for NSW when prop Payne Haas remained in doubt with a quad injury and centre Stephen ‘Critta’ Crichton hobbled off training at Ballymore with a corked leg.

Early concerns for both players have now eased considerably.

Crichton was rushed back to the team hotel in Brisbane for medical treatment but it became quickly apparent that a cork to his left leg wasn’t serious, didn’t require scans and he will be monitored overnight.

Crichton finished NSW training but didn’t remain at Ballymore for an additional gym session and was later spotted with an ice pack on his left thigh.

While NSW officials couldn’t categorically confirm Crichton would play, there was a general feeling the powerful NSW centre would be fit for Wednesday night’s game.

South Sydney’s Campbell Graham is on standby to fill in at right centre for Crichton, who is expected to have little involvement in Tuesday’s captain’s run, their final training session, inside Suncorp Stadium.

Stephen Crichton failed to finish the session at Ballymore. Picture: NRL Photos

Meanwhile, Haas took a small yet significant step towards playing in Origin I by running lightly at training on Monday.

NSW coaching staff have become increasingly optimistic about Haas’ chances of playing.

Haas went through some team drills before working individually away from the side with Blues high performance manager, Andrew Gray.

When approached by this masthead after training, Haas declared: “I’m good, all good.”

The giant Brisbane Broncos prop will be given until Wednesday morning to prove his fitness. Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu will come into the side should Haas withdraw.

NSW players have looked relaxed since arriving in camp.

The Blues coaching staff has been regularly but gently drip-feeding information to players all week.

At training, the team has looked sharp, focused and together.

Monday’s session was deemed the most important and thorough of NSW’s 10-day preparation.

With NSW’s planning just about complete, Tuesday’s captain’s run could run as little as 15 minutes.

Given Brisbane’s temperature hit 28 degrees on Monday, NSW players certainly felt the heat after five days at chilly Leura in the Blue Mountains.

Despite the home ground advantage, TAB bookies have Queensland $2.30 outsiders with NSW the $1.62 favourites.

QLD VICTORY SEALED WITH KISS

He’s the incoming Wallabies coach and Queensland State of Origin champion, so the sight of Les Kiss at NSW training on Monday was an interesting sight.

Despite loving being back among rugby league types and watching on as Laurie Daley’s side completed their most important session ahead of Wednesday night’s series opener, Kiss’ state loyalty never wavered.

“Queensland by seven,” Kiss said when asked for a game one prediction.

The Blues trained on Monday at Ballymore, the famous rugby union ground in suburban Brisbane that is home to the Queensland Reds.

Reds coach Kiss, who will assume the Wallabies’ top job next year, showed that while rugby union is his full-time employment, he still has plenty of passion for his beloved North Sydney Bears and State of Origin.

Kiss played four games for the Maroons in 1986 and 1990, along with 100 matches for North Sydney between 1986 and 1993.

“It’s great to see the Bears back but Origin, that’s the big one,” Kiss, the former rugby league winger, said.

“State against state, mate against mate. I’m absolutely looking forward to Wednesday night. It should be a cracker.

“Obviously I’m a Maroon, although the Blues are training behind me, but I still love the rugby league game.

“Whenever NSW plays Queensland in any sport, there’s something different about us.

“My rugby league career served me well and it’s something I will never forget. And with the Bears coming back in, that will reignite some rugby league blood in me. That will be fantastic.”

Hailing from Bundaberg, the rugby codes have taken Kiss around the world.

Kiss was announced as the next Wallabies coach in April, and will take over from Joe Schmidt in mid-2026.

He scored 29 tries for the Bears and toured England and France with the unbeaten 1986 Kangaroos.

Kiss played four Tests for Australia and was among the coaching staff at London Broncos in 1999 and the ill-fated Northern Eagles in 2001.

The Reds, under Kiss, have qualified for this season’s Super Rugby finals.

Originally published as NSW Blues star Stephen Crichton cleared to play in State of Origin Game I