Boyd Cordner has ruled himself out of the State of Origin series

NSW Blues have made three changes to the starting side and appointed a new skipper for Origin II.

A dejected NSW's Boyd Cordner and James Tedesco after Origin I in Adelaide. Picture: Brett Costello

NSW coach Brad Fittler wielded the axe on Friday but the biggest omission from the Blues squad was not of his doing. Captain Boyd Cordner made the difficult decision to take no further part in the series, heading home to focus on his health following a series of head knocks that reached their climax in the opening State of Origin game.

The sense was that if Cordner hadn’t made the decision, it would have been made for him, such was the concern over the health of a footballer who is held in the highest regard for the way he carries himself on and off the field.

His Roosters teammate James Tedesco will take over the Blues’ captaincy.

Cordner is a genuinely good bloke. No one has enjoyed seeing him endure what he has this year, sitting out large chunks of the season for the Roosters to give his brain a break only to cop another knock in Origin.

Senior NRL officials were involved in talks with the NSW Rugby League on Friday and it is understood there was a clear message that their preference was to see Cordner sit out the remainder of the series.

He will need to visit independent neurological specialists over the off-season before he is cleared to return next year for the Roosters given the level of angst not only with his health, but with the issue of concussion within the corridors of power at Rugby League Central.

“As hard as it was, it is the right call based on the fact that I have had a few knocks this year,” Cordner said.

“I feel really good after Wednesday‘s game — I’ve pulled up fine. I have no concerns about the knock in game one. I passed the HIA test and was happy to return to the field.

“The decision is more precautionary than anything. It has been a big year and now I can just rest up and relax with a good break coming up.”

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo praised Cordner.

“I’m pleased to see that Boyd is taking a break – it was the right decision,” Abdo said.

“We know how passionate Boyd is about Origin, but his welfare must come first. We have best practice systems and processes in place to identify and monitor head knocks during play.

“Experienced doctors with access to match vision also support NSWRL and QRL on the ground to assess and monitor potential head injuries. After reviewing vision of the incident our chief medical officer had some concerns about Boyd’s return to the field on Wednesday, so we’ve written to NSWRL to seek an explanation about how they reached that decision and NSWRL are co-operating with that request.

“As a game, we spend around $1 million each year on research and in-game surveillance of head injuries. We’re pleased Boyd and NSWRL reached today’s decision. It shows that player welfare has been put first, as it always should be.”

Cordner stumbled after collecting the elbow and hip of Queensland forward Felise Kaufusi at the Adelaide Oval on Wednesday night and was taken off the field for a head injury assessment.

Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs confirmed he passed subsequent testing with ease and as a result, was cleared to return. Afterwards, there were howls of protest and the NRL hierarchy were clearly concerned with how it reflected on the game given the issue of concussion has been one of the most vexing — and litigious — in world sport.

Former Newcastle winger James McManus is involved in ongoing legal action with the Knights over his retirement due to concussion, the case due to return to court later this month.

“Nathan Gibbs is one of the most experienced and respected sports physicians in Australia and he was overseeing it all,” NSWRL chief executive David Trodden said.

“I have total confidence in his judgment. I am unconcerned about people asking questions or making judgments because we have one of the best men in Australia in charge of our operation.

“These guys care about Boyd. Nathan is both the team doctor, but a doctor first and foremost. He is not going to be party to any decision which risks the long-term well being of one of his players.”

Fittler made mass changes in the wake of his side’s shock loss in Origin I led by the promotion of South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker at the expense of Luke Keary. Payne Haas was moved into the starting side for Junior Paulo while Cordner was replaced by Roosters teammate Angus Crichton.

Isaah Yeo and Nathan Brown were named to make their Origin debuts off the interchange bench, where a place was also found for Melbourne’s Dale Finucane.

Queensland’s changes were mainly forced, although Valentine Holmes would have come in regardless after he missed Origin I through suspension.

He will play fullback while prop Christian Welch has been left out due to concussion — Canberra forward Dunamis Lui will make his Origin debut along with Gold Coast prop Moeaki Fotuaika, who has been named on the bench.

Cowboys back rower Coen Hess was dropped with Jaydn Su’A promoted to the starting side.

NSW squad (1-13): James Tedesco (c), Daniel Tupou, Clint Gutherson, Jack Wighton, Josh Addo-Carr, Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary, Daniel Saifiti, Damien Cook, Payne Haas, Angus Crichton, Tyson Frizell, Jake Trbojevic. Interchange: Dale Finucane, Junior Paulo, Nathan Brown, Isaah Yeo Reserves: Luke Keary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Cameron McInnes, Stephen Crichton

Qld squad (1-13): Valentine Holmes, Xavier Coates, Kurt Capewell, Dane Gagai, Phillip Sami, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans (c), Dunamis Lui, Jake Friend, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Jaydn Su’A, Tino Faasuamaleaui. Interchange: Ben Hunt, Lindsay Collins, Jai Arrow, Moeaki Fotuaika Reserves: Brenko Lee, Corey Allan, Josh Kerr, Edrick Lee