Paul Gallen an outside chance for Cronulla Sharks after re-injuring knee in State of Origin II

NSW captain Paul Gallen will have scans on his injured right knee after taking a heavy knock in the Blues' Origin II win last night. 

Paul Gallen

NSW captain Paul Gallen will have scans on his injured right knee at 4pm this afternoon after taking a heavy knock in State of Origin II last night.

Gallen is rated only an outside chance of recovering in time for the Sharks' clash with the Warriors at Toyota Sadium on Saturday, with 70 minutes of Origin battle taking a heavy toll on the inspirational skipper's ongoing posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) problems.

Gallen took a knock to the shin in the first half of Origin Game II, which forced the lower part of his leg suddenly backwards in a movement that puts the PCL under immense strain.

However, Gallen was able to remain on the field after hobbling around with the assistance of a trainer for a few minutes, with NSW going on to win 16-12.

More injury news from last night's game:
Slater out for up to eight weeks
Parker out indefinitely with gash

Blues and Cronulla club doctor David Givney said this afternoon's scans are only a precaution to assess if the PCL has been further strained. The results will be compared to the scans taken when Gallen first came into Origin camp last week.

Gallen was seen limping around the Blues' camp this morning and admitted to feeling pain in the knee.

However, Givney told The Daily Telegraph this afternoon that Gallen is one of the few players in the world capable of backing up and playing for the Sharks this weekend while carrying the injury he has.
 
"He's as close as you'll get to indestructible," Givney said.

"The knee hasn't blown up, but he's very stiff and sore. So are a lot of the other boys. We had lots of bumps and bruises."

Gallen has a long record of backing up for his club following Origin appearances and remains determined to continue that this weekend.

He will be given until Saturday to decide if he is fit to play, with the club also determined not to risk playing him if he risks further aggravating the injury.

Givney said Blues halfback Mitchell Pearce also sustained a heavy knock to his chest, while Robbie Farah required stitches to mend a cut behind his ear last night.