‘Huge blow for Queensland’: Devastating news for Origin star
A Queensland State of Origin cult hero has suffered a freak warm-up injury that appears to have crushed his Origin hopes.
NRL
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Queensland State of Origin star Reuben Cotter has suffered a hamstring injury that has likely crushed his Origin dreams.
The Cowboys star’s herculean 80-minute performance on debut for Queensland was one of the fairytale stories to emerge from the Maroons’ upset win in the series opener.
Now it may have turned into a nightmare.
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Cotter pulled up and grabbed at his hamstring in the middle of the Cowboys’ pre-game warm-up drill on Friday night ahead of their Round 15 clash against Manly.
Fox League cameras caught the moment Cotter ran through past a padding obstacle and then pulled up in pain near the posts.
He hobbled off the field moments later and the Cowboys eventually confirmed Cotter suffered a hamstring strain. Brendan Elliot was shuffled onto the bench as a late replacement.
He will return to Townsville with the rest of the team on Saturday and will then have scans to assess the damage.
It leaves him needing a miracle to play in Origin II in Perth, just nine days away on June 26.
“That’s big news for Queensland,” Fox League’s Mick Ennis said.
“It’s Friday night now, and Origin is next Sunday, he won’t be playing.”
Tigers legend Benji Marshall said players can sometimes play through a minor hamstring strain, but agreed there is “next to no chance” Cotter will be able to play in Game 2.
Cotter had been enjoying the biggest week of his life after celebrating his first Origin appearance and the birth of his first child.
The star forward announced his big baby news on Sunday night in a shared Instagram post with partner Mackenzie Falco.
The post announced the healthy arrival of daughter Sunny, born on Saturday.
Originally published as ‘Huge blow for Queensland’: Devastating news for Origin star
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