Billy Slater is likely to be ruled out of Monday night's blockbuster clash with the Roosters, but the Maroons star is expected to be fit for State of Origin II at the MCG.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Slater aggravated a shoulder injury in Queensland's win in the opening interstate encounter, preventing him from marking up on fellow Test fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck at Allianz Stadium. The news is a blow to the Storm's chance of retaining top spot on the ladder, which they held on percentages coming into round 12.
Despite being hampered by the shoulder problem, Slater was still one of Queensland's best on Wednesday night, running for 144 metres, notching a try assist and also a line-break assist against the Blues. The Australian custodian has shown he won't put himself before the team in big games, evidenced by his decision to withdraw from the Anzac Test. However, he is confident he can manage the issue throughout the season and is expected to be available for Maroons selection when Origin returns to the MCG for the first time in 18 years.
Cameron Munster, who has been impressive filling in for Slater on three occasions already this season, is again likely to get the nod at fullback.
The Roosters are hopeful centre Blake Ferguson will return earlier than expected from his ankle injury but despite prop Sam Moa being quoted as saying he might be back for Monday's game, the club's chief executive Brian Canavan said he's still being monitored by the club's medical staff.
"We're hoping he'll be back a bit earlier," said Canavan. "He had a full session on Thursday, had another one on Friday and the big test was how he'd handle back-to-back training sessions.
"There's a minimum recovery time for the bones to heal and he's not at that stage yet. The doctors have to be comfortable his injury has completely healed and can withstand the pressure and rigours of a contest over 80 minutes."
The earliest Ferguson could be back is two weeks. The Roosters were understood to have spent up to $20,000 on Ferguson's treatment in the United States.
It was bad news for another of the NRL's elite custodians, with Penrith's Matt Moylan to be sidelined for at least six weeks after suffering an ankle ligament strain in Friday's loss to Parramatta. The Penrith No.1, who was given a taste of Origin by being invited into the Blues camp for the opening match, had to be assisted from Pepper Stadium. The injury is another blow for the Panthers, who are sweating on scan results for Jamie Soward. The former NSW playmaker was hit hard and late by Eels forward Pauli Pauli, who is also likely to spend time on the sidelines after being placed on report. Soward injured his A/C joint in the collision but was able to return to the field after receiving medical attention.
The Panthers, who host the Storm next Saturday, already have a bulging injury ward and went into the local derby without centres Dean Whare and Jamal Idris, prop Brent Kite and winger Josh Mansour.
The Roosters-Storm clash could have further Origin implications if stand-in NSW captain Robbie Farah is scratched due to a shoulder problem. The Wests Tigers hooker suffered the injury in an ugly tackle from Justin Hodges and is racing to against time to prove his fitness. Storm coach Craig Bellamy, a former Blues coach, has backed Ryan Hinchcliffe to fill the void if Farah isn't available.
In other injury news, Cronulla captain Paul Gallen raised hopes of a shock comeback against St George Illawarra on Sunday after returning to training during the week. However, it's understood he won't return for the local derby and is no certainty to be available for Origin II. After months of negotiations, the veteran forward is poised to sign a new one-year deal with the Sharks to ensure he remains a one-club man.
with Daniel Lane
