Payne Haas injury drama rocks NSW Blues, Max King set to make State of Origin debut

NSW’s preparation for State of Origin I has been thrown into turmoil following an injury to one of the first players picked, with a rising prop called into the side. STATE OF ORIGIN LATEST

Bulldogs forward Max King is set to make his State of Origin debut in Brisbane after being called into the Blues squad for series opener.

King, one of the star performers for the top of the table Bulldogs this season, has been rewarded for his strong start to the year with a place in Laurie Daley’s squad for Origin I.

- Brent Read

HAAS INJURY CONCERNS

- Dean Ritchie

NSW’s preparation for State of Origin I has been thrown into turmoil with rugby league’s best prop, Payne Haas, in doubt with a quad injury.

Haas sustained the injury in Brisbane’s loss to St George Illawarra at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

A selection certainty, Haas is likely to be named in the Blues side but remain under injury scrutiny all week.

The NSW coaching staff was rocked by the news and are trying to cobble together a replacement strategy.

Payne Haas is under an injury cloud. Picture: Getty Images

Haas will be given time to prove his fitness but quad injuries are notoriously difficult to overcome in a week.

With forwards Jake Trbojevic (concussion) and Jacob Saifiti (calf) already unavailable, NSW coach Laurie Daley has three front-row candidates – Max King, Terrell May and Stefano Utoikamanu.

Two of the three may now be named.

Saifiti was closing in on selection before being injured although Brisbane’s Payne Haas came through Sunday’s loss to the Dragons without concern.

Bellamy’s association with Utoikamanu at Melbourne may enhance the ex-Tigers’ chances.

COWBOY WINS CONTENTIOUS BLUES SPOT

By Peter Badel

Cowboys hooker Reece Robson is set to stave off several rivals and retain his NSW No.9 jumper for Origin I.

The hooking spot was one of NSW’s most contentious positions with Api Koroisau, Wayde Egan and Blayke Brailey all in contention after impressive starts to the season with their respective clubs.

But despite the Cowboys’ patchy form, Robson has done enough to retain his place in NSW’s 17 for the series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week.

Robson started in all three games last season in NSW’s series win and new Blues coach Laurie Daley is a huge fan of his workrate around the rucks.

Reece Robson has done enough to retain his spot in the NSW State of Origin team. Picture: Getty Images

WARRIORS CAPTAIN TO RETAIN BLUES SPOT

By Michael Carayannis

Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett has remained in Australia ahead of the NSW State of Origin team announcement.

While the rest of the side Warriors squad has returned to New Zealand, Barnett has been told to head to Sydney.

Barnett made his Origin and Test debut last year.

TURBO FIT, HEALTH AND READY FOR BLUES

By Dean Ritchie

Manly star Tom Trbojevic will be “fit, healthy and ready” for the rigours of State of Origin despite grimacing and hobbling during his side’s win over North Queensland on Saturday.

That is the opinion of Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold, who revealed Trbojevic only has a corked quad injury.

Trbojevic, who finished the Cowboys game, is locked in a three-way wing battle with Parramatta’s Zac Lomax and Penrith’s Brian To’o for a NSW wing position.

Tom Trbojevic is determined to play Origin. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Blues coach Laurie Daley will announce his side for State of Origin I either Sunday night or Monday morning.

Daley is a massive Trbojevic fan but was seeking to personally discuss the injury with the Manly champion on Sunday before naming his line-up.

Trbojevic copped an additional whack on the injury during the Cowboys game.

With Stephen Crichton and Latrell Mitchell to be NSW’s centre pairing, Trbojevic is being considered as a winger.

Lomax’s successful return from a broken foot for Parramatta on Friday night may have clinched him a spot. He can also kick goals.

Jacob Kiraz is understood to have sustained a calf injury, which would rule him out of a potential Origin debut on the wing.

Jacob Kiraz is reportedly facing at least a month on the sidelines after suffering a “significant calf injury” (via @Danny_Weidler)

Quite an effort from Kiraz to finish the game on Friday night. Moderate grade calf strains (partial tear) often involve a 4-6 week recovery. pic.twitter.com/tSfYMX6tPY

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 18, 2025

If Trbojevic is deemed fit, it may mean To’o – whose Panthers had a bye this round – will miss out for Origin I on May 28 in Brisbane.

Trbojevic told ABC Radio: “I’m not playing the footy I want to. I have to keep working hard knowing where I can be. Who knows, we will see (if I am selected).”

Mitchell Barnett has remained in Australia. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

Daley is still considering several bench options and will meet Blues assistant coach Craig Bellamy on Sunday afternoon.

With forwards Jake Trbojevic (concussion) and Jacob Saifiti (calf) unavailable, Daley has three candidates for a bench spot – Max King, Terrell May and Stefano Utoikamanu.

Saifiti was closing in on selection before being injured.

Bellamy’s association with Utoikamanu at Melbourne may enhance the ex-Tigers’ chances.

Jarome Luai and Mitch Moses are fighting for the five-eighth spot although the Eels star is marginally in front.

Daley will closely observe Luai’s performance for Wests Tigers against Souths on Sunday night at Campbelltown.

The Blues coach will be praying Mitchell comes through the Souths-Tigers game unscathed.

After the Eels big win over Newcastle, Lomax said: “I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t want to be back there (representing NSW).”