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2mo ago

McLean Ruled Out of State of Origin II After Training Quadriceps Injury

The setback pushes the Blues toward promoting Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase as a likely late inclusion to reshape their bench.

Casey McLean poses for a photo in his New South Wales Origin jersey

Overview

  • The Blues confirmed on Saturday that 20-year-old Casey McLean suffered a quadriceps issue at the team's final Central Coast training session and has been ruled out of Game II.
  • Reports differ on the exact moment of the injury, with some accounts saying McLean went down in the warm-up and others saying he strained the muscle about 15 minutes into the session.
  • Mark Nawaqanitawase has been named as the Blues' 19th man and is the leading contender to be elevated into the side as McLean's replacement.
  • The squad prepared to fly to Melbourne on Saturday ahead of the match at the MCG, and officials said a formal replacement announcement was expected imminently.
  • McLean had been praised for an electric Origin debut from the bench, so his loss trims the Blues' depth in the centres and could prompt positional shifts such as a winger moving into the centres on game day.