Three nights in hospital and a ligament tear. But don’t tell these Blues they’ll miss Origin decider
Jarome Luai spent three nights in hospital last week to treat a staph infection, and Brian To’o suffered a grade-two lateral ligament tear in his left knee last Thursday night, but the Blues are confident both will play in the State of Origin series decider in Sydney on July 9.
To’o’s injury will prevent him from stretching out fully with NSW until the weekend at the earliest.
Prop Payne Haas also remained in Brisbane to undergo regular treatment on his lower back and did not arrive in camp until Monday night, while Nathan Cleary confirmed his groin is fine, but he is unlikely to kick goals at Accor Stadium next week.
Luai missed Wests Tigers’ Friday night clash because of an infection, and revealed how a planned short hospital stay turned into three nights.
“I had a staph infection,” Luai said. “I didn’t think much of it at the time, and thought I’d be right for Friday’s game [against Manly], but I woke up the morning of the captain’s run, something wasn’t right, and I ended up in hospital.
“Where the wound was, it was pretty red, and it didn’t feel right. It was on the chest, but then it spread.
Jarome Luai meets fans on Monday after spending three nights in hospital being treated for a staph infection.Credit: Wolter Peeters
“We play injured, we play sick, but once the doctors tell you it’s worse than what you think, I had to put my ego and pride aside and look after my body. Our health is our wealth.
“I could have got out Saturday, but to make sure it was fully gone, I stayed an extra night.
“My weight is good, and nothing restricted me from eating. It was more so the fevers. But I’ll be good to go next Wednesday. I’ll be sweet.”
Luai said there would be no need for any padding on his chest. He even completed a light gym session on Monday, but only after stopping via the Tigers’ Concord base to attend a team meeting.
Brian To’o will test out his knee on Saturday.Credit: Wolter Peeters
The bigger concern for NSW is To’o, which is why Blues coach Laurie Daley picked winger Jacob Kiraz as 18th man ahead of his Bulldogs teammate Matt Burton. If To’o misses out, Daley said he wanted to make sure Kiraz was fit and did not play for his club this weekend.
Like Luai, To’o is confident he will play after he was able to finish last Thursday’s game, an epic 8-6 win over the Bulldogs. He suffered the injury when tackled by Harry Hayes midway through the first half.
NSW doctor Nathan Gibbs said of To’o: “He’s got a lateral ligament tear in his knee, which at the moment isn’t too bad. It’s probably a grade two, but it’s manageable. If the game was tomorrow, I’d reckon he’d play. He wouldn’t be perfect, but he’d do it because he’s such a tough player.
“[In] Origin II, he got the team match ball, even though he went into that game under an injury cloud, and on a modified program.
“We’ll manage Brian. He’ll definitely run Saturday, and might do some rehab running on Thursday.”
Gibbs added Cleary was sore after the loss in Perth, but had no concerns after Thursday’s win with the Panthers. Cleary said he was yet to attempt goal kicking since feeling his groin tighten during the captain’s run at Optus Stadium, and kicking across his body made him susceptible to aggravating the groin, compared to kicking straight in general play.
Meanwhile, Daley was happy for Josh Papalii to be called out of representative retirement for Queensland because of their Canberra links.
“I’ve watched the Raiders closely; he is one of their legends, and he will bring a presence, power, a bit of size, and is someone who is hard to handle,” Daley said of the Raiders legend.
The Blues will head to Leura late on Tuesday before holding their first training session on Wednesday.
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