Payne Haas failed to train for a third straight session on Saturday, but NSW medical staff are confident the prop will be fit for Wednesday night’s State of Origin opener.
Haas has been struggling with a quad strain he suffered against St George Illawarra, but scans cleared him of serious damage.
Such is Haas’ importance to any team, the Blues are happy to give him until kick-off to prove his fitness.
NSW doctor Nathan Gibbs said the fact Haas was able to stretch out at training, albeit away from the main group, at Penrith was a big positive.
“Payne strained his VL quad, or lateral quad, not the main central quad, and they traditionally heal much quicker,” Gibbs said. “Today he was able to run about 2.5km at about 70 per cent, which puts him right on track to train on Monday, then play Wednesday.
“It was really important he ran today – if he couldn’t run today, we were going to struggle to have him play. We’re confident.”
Payne Haas trained away from the main group again on Saturday.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Stefano Utoikamanu started up front with Mitch Barnett for the opposed session against Ryde Eastwood, as Haas completed a series of drills to one side with the NSW strength and conditioning staff.
Haas is regarded as arguably the best front-rower in the game.
“And if he isn’t the best front-rower, he’s among the top two or three,” Barnett said.
“Having him out there, just his presence, whether he’s 100 per cent fit or not, I know it will give the blokes a lift in that locker room. I’m looking forward to running out with him again – he’s a freak of nature.”
NSW Blues prop Payne Haas.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
Warriors prop Barnett, meanwhile, opened up about how this week’s floods on the NSW Mid North Coast had impacted his family, including his father, Paul, who had lost around 100 head of cattle, and his mother, Jodie, who had been working around the clock in her role as general manager of Manning Base Hospital.
Barnett was born in Taree, but grew up in Wingham on acreage where the family had a few farms. He was emotional at the start of the week when the heart-breaking images started to surface.
“My old man had some damage to the farm; we don’t know how bad yet because he’s still trapped,” Barnett said.
“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.
Blues prop Mitchell Barnett.Credit: Sitthixay Ditthavong
“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.
“I’m always playing for my family, I’m always playing for my community ... ”
The only hindrance about training at the Panthers Academy was the amount of bugs that surfaced after the heavy rain.
The Blues were forced to move their main field session to Penrith because of the intense rain that had fallen up the mountain at their Leura base.
They will fly to Brisbane on Sunday, then train at Ballymore, the home of the Queensland Reds, on Monday.
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