The Blues may know as early as Saturday if hooker Robbie Farah is any chance of making a remarkable recovery from a broken hand in time to play in Wednesday's Origin decider.
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Farah was expected to meet with Blues doctor Nathan Gibbs late on Friday night after Gibbs returned from his duties as chief medico of the Sydney Swans who played on Thursday night. It will be a critical assessment for Farah who held hopes of training with the rest of the Blues squad on Saturday.
The NSW side had a day off at their Coffs Harbour training base on Friday but will take part in a scheduled extended training session on Saturday, before travelling to Brisbane on Sunday before Wednesday's game. Whether Farah will be part of the Blues' third-last training session remains to be seen. Michael Ennis will continue in his role as dummy-half in waiting, with the Cronulla hooker taking his place in the squad on Thursday. Because of the NRL rules, it is unlikely Ennis would be officially named as Farah's replacement before the end of Monday night's club-round fixture between Wests Tigers and Parramatta, which is when his ban ends. Melbourne utility Ryan Hinchcliffe is also part of the Blues' extended squad.
Farah had an operation on Wednesday in a bid to fast-track his rehabilitation. The operation was designed to provide stability to Farah's broken metacarpal in his right hand.
Blues five-eighth Mitchell Pearce – who has played along side Ennis five times at Origin level – said the Cronulla rake had been among the form players in the NRL.
"Aggression," Pearce said of what Ennis will bring to the squad. "I think what he's been doing with Cronulla is he's been really smart with the ball.
"He's more deceptive out of dummy-half than people think. He's got a little bit of speed for an old guy too, I reckon he's been outstanding. If he gets picked, he'll add a lot to the team. I've played a couple of games [against Ennis[ and this year I think he's been one of the better players of the comp."
Farah faces more uncertainty surrounding his fitness than he did heading into game two when he overcame a serious shoulder injury to play. It has been an unhappy period for Farah who was delayed in joining the squad after he was denied permission to fly with Virgin Australia so soon after his operation.
Meanwhile, the Blues have added to their bulging squad with Gold Coast Titans flyer James Roberts called in to give him a taste of Origin.
