It's the kind of news that could make NSW fans rejoice, or hide under the bed and prepare for armageddon. Greg Inglis has been in hospital, on a drip, and remains a touch-and-go prospect for Wednesday's Origin opener.
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With all of the hallmarks of a trusty "miracle Maroon" tale, the Queensland centre was a no-show at training last week as he struggled to overcome a serious bout of tonsilitis.
The Blues may suspect a smokescreen but the infection has been serious enough to warrant a stint in hospital where the 28-year-old was given a treatment of intravenous antibiotics.
It raises serious questions about whether Inglis will shape up in time, or how effective he may be if he does take the field at ANZ Stadium as the Blues begin their first title defence since 2006.
While the rest of the side, minus Justin Hodges (cut foot), completed a sharp opposed session against the Queensland Cup's Burleigh Bears on Friday night, Inglis was in hospital hooked up to a fresh dose of medication as staff struggled to get on top of his ailment.
Queensland officials are cautiously optimistic about his chances, but the fact Dane Gagai has remained in camp at Sanctuary Cove means there are genuine concerns for Inglis, who has been a scourge of the Blues since his Origin debut in 2006.
He remains the final piece of the puzzle for coach Mal Meninga. The injury to Hodges has become more comical than serious. He cut the top of his foot riding a resort bike and while he had to get it sewn up, was never in genuine doubt.
Billy Slater's shoulder was some concern but Meninga was bullish all along, while Slater put any doubts to rest when he completed Friday's opposed session with little or no complication.
Now all eyes fall on Inglis, who will be given until the captain's run on Tuesday to prove his fitness, but must show rapid improvement to get over the line. He remains unlikely to train on the Gold Coast on Sunday before the team flies out that afternoon.
Maroons prop Nate Myles joked that Hodges and Inglis were both "professionals at getting out of training" and said team doctor Roy Saunders was taking every precaution to nurse Inglis towards game day.
"He [Inglis] was around the boys the other day so he has ducked out to get some tests done," Myles said. "The doc is doing his job. I wouldn't want to be the doc if he didn't get the situation right and GI missed the game because of him, so I dare say he is being a bit protective."
If Inglis was to miss the game, Kangaroos centre Will Chambers would likely shift in from his wing with Gagai taking his place on the flank.
Chambers was another to remain optimistic but said he would make the positional switch if Meninga came calling.
"If I have to I'll play there. We'll just have to see what happens. GI is a pretty special player and he'll do everything right to be there. We'll see how it all goes."
