live Infotainment Factory: Blows keep coming for NSW as Walker injury confirmed

Trending

>

Post Top Ad

Post Top Ad

Thursday, 8 June 2023

Blows keep coming for NSW as Walker injury confirmed


//

The blows keep coming for NSW, with one of the leading contenders for a spot in the halves for Origin II injuring his quad in training.

Cody Walker is out of the Rabbitohs side to take on the Dragons on Saturday after feeling a tweak during some speed work at training as Souths finalised preparations for their round 15 clash.

Speaking to media after the club's captain's run on Friday, coach Jason Demetriou confirmed the news, joking that the cause of the low grade strain was "old man", while remaining optimistic that Walker would be available for selection for Origin if called upon by Brad Fittler.

READ MORE: Aussies tear through India in historic collapse

READ MORE: Freddy rips Maroons star's call after Koroisau hit

READ MORE: Queensland star points finger at media over ball-carrying style

"We're working hard and he's every chance of being available," Demetriou said.

"It's an injury that's really short term, it only happened a couple of days before the game so we're not in a position to risk him but Origin's not for nearly two weeks so he's every chance of being available."

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs looks dejected after losing the club's round 13 loss to the Raiders.

While Demetrious may be optimistic, Walker would be unlikely to be brought in to play a part in a new look NSW spine if he's unable to participate in training until late in the preparations for Origin II.

That may seal his fate, potentially ending the flirtation with bringing Adam Reynolds out of the Origin wilderness to save the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

The case for Reynolds largely hinged on his combination with Walker and Latrell Mitchell from their years at Souths together but with both of those stars on the injured list, Fittler would be taking a huge risk by going down that path.

Demetriou said Mitchell was on the road to recovery and could be back running by the end of the weekend, making him a more likely selection for NSW than the newly injured Walker.

"He's in a good place, physios are working overtime with him as well to give him every chance to be available but he'll know late this weekend or early next week whether he's good to go or not if he can run. It's one of those injuries where every couple of days makes a big difference when you've got a low grade, so we'll say how he responds," Demetriou said.

Watch the 2023 State of Origin series LIVE and exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now

Latrell Mitchell smiles at New South Wales Blues State of Origin training.

The coach added that "Cam Murray's the same before you ask me about him," adding that the Rabbitohs were "creaking" as a result of being one of the few sides in the competition that was yet to have a bye.

"We're 15 weeks in, we're one of the few teams who haven't had a bye yet and the boys are creaking a little bit," he said.

Demetriou's team isn't the only one struggling to come to terms with injuries, with Fittler now facing the task of picking a Blues team with fitness clouds over certain selections Murray and Mitchell to go with series-ending injuries to Nathan Cleary and Apisai Koroisau.

Damien Cook is the hot favourite to be called into the side to replace Koroisau, but Cleary's replacement is no clearer with the likes of the Broncos' Reynolds, Mitchell Moses and Nicho Hynes vying for the No.7 jersey. That battle has a new complexion with Jarome Luai now looking a safe bet to retain his No.6 jersey due to Walker's injury.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

The blows keep coming for NSW, with one of the leading contenders for a spot in the halves for Origin II injuring his quad in training.

Cody Walker is out of the Rabbitohs side to take on the Dragons on Saturday after feeling a tweak during some speed work at training as Souths finalised preparations for their round 15 clash.

Speaking to media after the club's captain's run on Friday, coach Jason Demetriou confirmed the news, joking that the cause of the low grade strain was "old man", while remaining optimistic that Walker would be available for selection for Origin if called upon by Brad Fittler.

READ MORE: Aussies tear through India in historic collapse

READ MORE: Freddy rips Maroons star's call after Koroisau hit

READ MORE: Queensland star points finger at media over ball-carrying style

"We're working hard and he's every chance of being available," Demetriou said.

"It's an injury that's really short term, it only happened a couple of days before the game so we're not in a position to risk him but Origin's not for nearly two weeks so he's every chance of being available."

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

Cody Walker of the Rabbitohs looks dejected after losing the club's round 13 loss to the Raiders.

While Demetrious may be optimistic, Walker would be unlikely to be brought in to play a part in a new look NSW spine if he's unable to participate in training until late in the preparations for Origin II.

That may seal his fate, potentially ending the flirtation with bringing Adam Reynolds out of the Origin wilderness to save the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

The case for Reynolds largely hinged on his combination with Walker and Latrell Mitchell from their years at Souths together but with both of those stars on the injured list, Fittler would be taking a huge risk by going down that path.

Demetriou said Mitchell was on the road to recovery and could be back running by the end of the weekend, making him a more likely selection for NSW than the newly injured Walker.

"He's in a good place, physios are working overtime with him as well to give him every chance to be available but he'll know late this weekend or early next week whether he's good to go or not if he can run. It's one of those injuries where every couple of days makes a big difference when you've got a low grade, so we'll say how he responds," Demetriou said.

Watch the 2023 State of Origin series LIVE and exclusive on Channel 9 and 9Now

Latrell Mitchell smiles at New South Wales Blues State of Origin training.

The coach added that "Cam Murray's the same before you ask me about him," adding that the Rabbitohs were "creaking" as a result of being one of the few sides in the competition that was yet to have a bye.

"We're 15 weeks in, we're one of the few teams who haven't had a bye yet and the boys are creaking a little bit," he said.

Demetriou's team isn't the only one struggling to come to terms with injuries, with Fittler now facing the task of picking a Blues team with fitness clouds over certain selections Murray and Mitchell to go with series-ending injuries to Nathan Cleary and Apisai Koroisau.

Damien Cook is the hot favourite to be called into the side to replace Koroisau, but Cleary's replacement is no clearer with the likes of the Broncos' Reynolds, Mitchell Moses and Nicho Hynes vying for the No.7 jersey. That battle has a new complexion with Jarome Luai now looking a safe bet to retain his No.6 jersey due to Walker's injury.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

https://ift.tt/bafkXoI
//

No comments:

Post a Comment