NSW State of Origin news: Payne Haas fails to train for Blues, Stephen Crichton good to go

The NSW Blues received mixed news from their casualty ward, with star centre Stephen Crichton moving freely but Payne Haas failing to take to the field. Watch the team train here

NSW prop Payne Haas will be given until early next week to overcome a quadriceps injury which forced him into the role of spectator at Blues training on Wednesday.

Haas only watched five minutes of warm-up action before heading to the dressing room as the Blues trained in the rain at Blue Mountains Grammar School in Wentworth Falls.

But he walked off with a stunning endorsement from a high-profile teammate.

Blues winger Zac Lomax rated Haas, who is also unlikely to train on Thursday, the best prop in rugby league.

“I think so, because of his work ethic and what he does off the ball as well,” Lomax said. “He’s up there. Payne’s engine is unbelievable. For a bloke who is 120kg, it is very admirable the way he goes about his ways. He is just an athlete.

Payne Haas and Craig Bellamy walk the sidelines at Blues training. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“Everyone in this team are ultra-professional and they know their bodies. Players know what they need to get done and the boxes they need to tick.

“Payne has played a number of Origin games so he knows what to expect. I’m sure he will have himself ready to go. Payne will be sweet to play.”

The media was permitted to watch the first 10 minutes of training before being asked to leave.

While Haas, who suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to St George Illawarra, is expected to play State of Origin I next Wednesday night, standby prop Stefano Utoikamanu will continue to train with the side.

In positive news for NSW, centre Stephen Crichton, who has been troubled by an on-going groin injury, trained strongly and is certain to play.

He took the injury into Canterbury’s game against the Sydney Roosters last week but he showed little inconvenience when training with NSW during a set of drills.

Melbourne super coach and Blues assistant Craig Bellamy was at NSW’s first official training run.

He watched NSW warm-up on one side of the field with head coach Laurie Daley positioned on the other side as players looked to be high spirits and ripped into training.

NSW assistant coaches Dean Young, Brett White and Matt King helped with drills.

“It was good to get our first-hit and we will all be ready to go on Wednesday,” Lomax said.