Three nights in hospital and a ligament tear. But don't tell these Blues they'll miss Origin decider
Jarome Luai spent three nights in hospital last week to treat a staph infection, and Brian To'o suffered a grade-two lateral ligament tear in his left knee last Thursday night, but the Blues are confident both will play in the State of Origin series decider in Sydney on July 9.
To'o's injury will prevent him from stretching out fully with NSW until the weekend at the earliest.
Prop Payne Haas also remained in Brisbane to undergo regular treatment on his lower back and did not arrive in camp until Monday night, while Nathan Cleary confirmed his groin is fine, but he is unlikely to kick goals at Accor Stadium next week.
Luai missed Wests Tigers' Friday night clash because of an infection, and revealed how a planned short hospital stay turned into three nights.
'I had a staph infection,' Luai said. 'I didn't think much of it at the time, and thought I'd be right for Friday's game [against Manly], but I woke up the morning of the captain's run, something wasn't right, and I ended up in hospital.
'Where the wound was, it was pretty red, and it didn't feel right. It was on the chest, but then it spread.
'We play injured, we play sick, but once the doctors tell you it's worse than what you think, I had to put my ego and pride aside and look after my body. Our health is our wealth.
'I could have got out Saturday, but to make sure it was fully gone, I stayed an extra night.
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The Advertiser
37 minutes ago
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Martin out for Munster revenge over man-of-match outing
Liam Martin has revealed he took Cameron Munster's man-of-the-match award personally in State of Origin II, vowing to do a better job on his arch-nemesis in the decider. Martin will again embrace the role of being a chief antagonist for NSW next Wednesday night, admitting he too would label himself a grub if he was a Queensland fan watching on. But while Martin's running feud with Munster has become something of an on-going joke, the Penrith backrower is serious about the job he must do on him in Origin. Martin considers it his responsibility to make an opposing half's life hell, and he and Munster have met in 10 Origins, two grand finals and two other finals matches. Munster was able to get the better of their battle in Perth last month, named man of the match in his first game as Maroons captain after Queensland's 26-24 win levelled the series. "I said before the game that I knew he'd want to stand up as captain and that it was probably my job to go after him," Martin said. "I probably didn't do my job in game two so I'll definitely be looking to change that in game three. "It's your job as the back-rower to keep that opposing half under control and try to make their life hell and take them away from their game. "It's a job I need to get done, and hopefully it goes towards us winning it. "It's frustrating when you see them do well so I'll be looking to change that in game three." Martin also had a running feud with other Queenslanders in Perth, giving Tino Fa'asuamaleaui a spray when a heavy hit on the lock forced an error. In the next set the 28-year-old was on the receiving end himself, copping a spray when Valentine Holmes got under the ball and forced him to cough it up. Martin admits his antics can be hard to watch back. And he has no doubt how he would feel about the man in the NSW No.11 jersey if he was a Queenslander watching on during Origin matches. "I'd hate me," Martin said. "I'd think I was the biggest bloody grub and Derek there is. "Watching some of the games back, I'm like 'Oh God, what am I doing?' But in the moment I enjoy it. "But that's part of footy. I'd like to think that if people met me away from the field then they'd think I'm actually an alright guy. "You can't take what you do for the 80 minutes (and focus on that) because there are another 10,000 minutes in the week with what I'm like away from footy." Liam Martin has revealed he took Cameron Munster's man-of-the-match award personally in State of Origin II, vowing to do a better job on his arch-nemesis in the decider. Martin will again embrace the role of being a chief antagonist for NSW next Wednesday night, admitting he too would label himself a grub if he was a Queensland fan watching on. But while Martin's running feud with Munster has become something of an on-going joke, the Penrith backrower is serious about the job he must do on him in Origin. Martin considers it his responsibility to make an opposing half's life hell, and he and Munster have met in 10 Origins, two grand finals and two other finals matches. Munster was able to get the better of their battle in Perth last month, named man of the match in his first game as Maroons captain after Queensland's 26-24 win levelled the series. "I said before the game that I knew he'd want to stand up as captain and that it was probably my job to go after him," Martin said. "I probably didn't do my job in game two so I'll definitely be looking to change that in game three. "It's your job as the back-rower to keep that opposing half under control and try to make their life hell and take them away from their game. "It's a job I need to get done, and hopefully it goes towards us winning it. "It's frustrating when you see them do well so I'll be looking to change that in game three." Martin also had a running feud with other Queenslanders in Perth, giving Tino Fa'asuamaleaui a spray when a heavy hit on the lock forced an error. In the next set the 28-year-old was on the receiving end himself, copping a spray when Valentine Holmes got under the ball and forced him to cough it up. Martin admits his antics can be hard to watch back. And he has no doubt how he would feel about the man in the NSW No.11 jersey if he was a Queenslander watching on during Origin matches. "I'd hate me," Martin said. "I'd think I was the biggest bloody grub and Derek there is. "Watching some of the games back, I'm like 'Oh God, what am I doing?' But in the moment I enjoy it. "But that's part of footy. I'd like to think that if people met me away from the field then they'd think I'm actually an alright guy. "You can't take what you do for the 80 minutes (and focus on that) because there are another 10,000 minutes in the week with what I'm like away from footy." Liam Martin has revealed he took Cameron Munster's man-of-the-match award personally in State of Origin II, vowing to do a better job on his arch-nemesis in the decider. Martin will again embrace the role of being a chief antagonist for NSW next Wednesday night, admitting he too would label himself a grub if he was a Queensland fan watching on. But while Martin's running feud with Munster has become something of an on-going joke, the Penrith backrower is serious about the job he must do on him in Origin. Martin considers it his responsibility to make an opposing half's life hell, and he and Munster have met in 10 Origins, two grand finals and two other finals matches. Munster was able to get the better of their battle in Perth last month, named man of the match in his first game as Maroons captain after Queensland's 26-24 win levelled the series. "I said before the game that I knew he'd want to stand up as captain and that it was probably my job to go after him," Martin said. "I probably didn't do my job in game two so I'll definitely be looking to change that in game three. "It's your job as the back-rower to keep that opposing half under control and try to make their life hell and take them away from their game. "It's a job I need to get done, and hopefully it goes towards us winning it. "It's frustrating when you see them do well so I'll be looking to change that in game three." Martin also had a running feud with other Queenslanders in Perth, giving Tino Fa'asuamaleaui a spray when a heavy hit on the lock forced an error. In the next set the 28-year-old was on the receiving end himself, copping a spray when Valentine Holmes got under the ball and forced him to cough it up. Martin admits his antics can be hard to watch back. And he has no doubt how he would feel about the man in the NSW No.11 jersey if he was a Queenslander watching on during Origin matches. "I'd hate me," Martin said. "I'd think I was the biggest bloody grub and Derek there is. "Watching some of the games back, I'm like 'Oh God, what am I doing?' But in the moment I enjoy it. "But that's part of footy. I'd like to think that if people met me away from the field then they'd think I'm actually an alright guy. "You can't take what you do for the 80 minutes (and focus on that) because there are another 10,000 minutes in the week with what I'm like away from footy."
The Advertiser
37 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Tigers overhaul spine amid NRL Origin, injury chaos
Wests Tigers have been forced into a complete overhaul of their spine, with mid-season mayhem prompting mass changes across the league. Several clubs were forced to name depleted sides for round 18 on Tuesday, after a brutal weekend of injuries and State of Origin duties taking away players. No club was more impacted than the Tigers, who will field a makeshift fullback and five-eighth as well as rookies at halfback and hooker against the Sydney Roosters. Sunia Turuva has been listed to start at fullback for the first time in the NRL, with Jahream Bula injured and his replacement from last week Mason Heath banned. Adam Doueihi will line up in the halves for the first time since the end of 2023 with Jarome Luai in NSW camp, while Latu Fainu will play his fourth game as a starting halfback. Tristan Hope has also been named in the No.9 jersey, after making his debut at hooker in round one for the Tigers and sliding back to reserve grade since. The Tigers are not the only club impacted with the Roosters also to blood two debutants in the Allianz Stadium clash on Sunday due to mass Origin outs. Tom Rodwell will come in on the wing for the Roosters with Mark Nawaqanitawase going to centre, while second-rower Max McCathie will come off the bench. De La Salle Va'a will also make his first NRL appearance since the end of last year after an innocuous hit in a trial game left him in hospital coughing up blood. At St George Illawarra an injury crisis has prompted Tyrell Sloan's recall on the wing, just weeks after being told by the club he had permission to look elsewhere. Sione Finau will also come onto the other wing with Nathan Lawson and Christian Tiuipulotu among a full casualty ward after last week's gutsy win over Parramatta. Forwards Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Hame Sele and Michael Molo have also come into the side. Canterbury have failed to have Daniel Suluka-Fifita included to face Brisbane after he was deemed concussed by the independent doctor last week, before passing his HIA. Blake Wilson and Enari Tuala have both been called into the backline, among a host of changes for the side to face Brisbane through Origin representation. Selwyn Cobbo will line up at fullback for the Broncos with Reece Walsh in Queensland Origin camp. Tom Duffy is also back for North Queensland in the No.7 jersey, after Todd Payten opted against moving Jaxon Purdue back to the halves with Tom Dearden in Maroons camp. And South Sydney have Jack Wighton to five-eighth in their side to face Manly, with Wayne Bennett putting Englishman Lewis Dodd on the bench rather than in the starting halves. Brandon Smith has been named on an extended bench for the Rabbitohs, as he nears a comeback from the ACL rupture suffered at the Roosters last year. Wests Tigers have been forced into a complete overhaul of their spine, with mid-season mayhem prompting mass changes across the league. Several clubs were forced to name depleted sides for round 18 on Tuesday, after a brutal weekend of injuries and State of Origin duties taking away players. No club was more impacted than the Tigers, who will field a makeshift fullback and five-eighth as well as rookies at halfback and hooker against the Sydney Roosters. Sunia Turuva has been listed to start at fullback for the first time in the NRL, with Jahream Bula injured and his replacement from last week Mason Heath banned. Adam Doueihi will line up in the halves for the first time since the end of 2023 with Jarome Luai in NSW camp, while Latu Fainu will play his fourth game as a starting halfback. Tristan Hope has also been named in the No.9 jersey, after making his debut at hooker in round one for the Tigers and sliding back to reserve grade since. The Tigers are not the only club impacted with the Roosters also to blood two debutants in the Allianz Stadium clash on Sunday due to mass Origin outs. Tom Rodwell will come in on the wing for the Roosters with Mark Nawaqanitawase going to centre, while second-rower Max McCathie will come off the bench. De La Salle Va'a will also make his first NRL appearance since the end of last year after an innocuous hit in a trial game left him in hospital coughing up blood. At St George Illawarra an injury crisis has prompted Tyrell Sloan's recall on the wing, just weeks after being told by the club he had permission to look elsewhere. Sione Finau will also come onto the other wing with Nathan Lawson and Christian Tiuipulotu among a full casualty ward after last week's gutsy win over Parramatta. Forwards Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Hame Sele and Michael Molo have also come into the side. Canterbury have failed to have Daniel Suluka-Fifita included to face Brisbane after he was deemed concussed by the independent doctor last week, before passing his HIA. Blake Wilson and Enari Tuala have both been called into the backline, among a host of changes for the side to face Brisbane through Origin representation. Selwyn Cobbo will line up at fullback for the Broncos with Reece Walsh in Queensland Origin camp. Tom Duffy is also back for North Queensland in the No.7 jersey, after Todd Payten opted against moving Jaxon Purdue back to the halves with Tom Dearden in Maroons camp. And South Sydney have Jack Wighton to five-eighth in their side to face Manly, with Wayne Bennett putting Englishman Lewis Dodd on the bench rather than in the starting halves. Brandon Smith has been named on an extended bench for the Rabbitohs, as he nears a comeback from the ACL rupture suffered at the Roosters last year. Wests Tigers have been forced into a complete overhaul of their spine, with mid-season mayhem prompting mass changes across the league. Several clubs were forced to name depleted sides for round 18 on Tuesday, after a brutal weekend of injuries and State of Origin duties taking away players. No club was more impacted than the Tigers, who will field a makeshift fullback and five-eighth as well as rookies at halfback and hooker against the Sydney Roosters. Sunia Turuva has been listed to start at fullback for the first time in the NRL, with Jahream Bula injured and his replacement from last week Mason Heath banned. Adam Doueihi will line up in the halves for the first time since the end of 2023 with Jarome Luai in NSW camp, while Latu Fainu will play his fourth game as a starting halfback. Tristan Hope has also been named in the No.9 jersey, after making his debut at hooker in round one for the Tigers and sliding back to reserve grade since. The Tigers are not the only club impacted with the Roosters also to blood two debutants in the Allianz Stadium clash on Sunday due to mass Origin outs. Tom Rodwell will come in on the wing for the Roosters with Mark Nawaqanitawase going to centre, while second-rower Max McCathie will come off the bench. De La Salle Va'a will also make his first NRL appearance since the end of last year after an innocuous hit in a trial game left him in hospital coughing up blood. At St George Illawarra an injury crisis has prompted Tyrell Sloan's recall on the wing, just weeks after being told by the club he had permission to look elsewhere. Sione Finau will also come onto the other wing with Nathan Lawson and Christian Tiuipulotu among a full casualty ward after last week's gutsy win over Parramatta. Forwards Raymond Faitala-Mariner, Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Hame Sele and Michael Molo have also come into the side. Canterbury have failed to have Daniel Suluka-Fifita included to face Brisbane after he was deemed concussed by the independent doctor last week, before passing his HIA. Blake Wilson and Enari Tuala have both been called into the backline, among a host of changes for the side to face Brisbane through Origin representation. Selwyn Cobbo will line up at fullback for the Broncos with Reece Walsh in Queensland Origin camp. Tom Duffy is also back for North Queensland in the No.7 jersey, after Todd Payten opted against moving Jaxon Purdue back to the halves with Tom Dearden in Maroons camp. And South Sydney have Jack Wighton to five-eighth in their side to face Manly, with Wayne Bennett putting Englishman Lewis Dodd on the bench rather than in the starting halves. Brandon Smith has been named on an extended bench for the Rabbitohs, as he nears a comeback from the ACL rupture suffered at the Roosters last year.
The Advertiser
39 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
Double blow for Warriors with spine ripped apart
The Warriors will require significant "spine surgery" to stay in the NRL's top four after fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad joined halfback Luke Metcalf on the sideline. After receiving confirmation that Metcalf has a season-ending ACL rupture, the Warriors have now lost Nicoll-Klokstad for four weeks with a medial ligament tear. The two injuries - suffered in Saturday's loss to Brisbane - will force a major reshuffle of a Warriors team who have shocked the NRL to sit fourth on the ladder. The Warriors have the bye this week, but coach Andrew Webster has a number of options at both fullback and halfback the following week against Wests Tigers. Regardless, having anyone play to the level of Metcalf this season will be a challenge, given he led the Dally M race when it went behind closed doors in May. Tanah Boyd looms as the most likely option to fill the No.7 jersey, with the former Gold Coast halfback taking the Warriors to top spot in NSW Cup this year. After moving from the Titans over the summer, Boyd has won all 13 games he has played in reserve grade this season. That would allow Te Maire Martin to remain as a bench utility, after spending time at hooker, fullback and halfback in one game last week against the Broncos. Taine Tuaupiki will almost certainly take the No.1 jersey, after doing so once earlier in the season and also playing the last month at fullback in NSW Cup. The Warriors were already without NSW State of Origin prop Mitchell Barnett for the rest of the year with an ACL rupture, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also out for at least another fortnight. "I believe in this team and the whole club. Whoever steps up from (NSW) Cup will do a good job," captain James Fisher-Harris said. "The belief in our squad is immense. Whatever happens with injuries, I still believe in the younger boys." Elsewhere, Manly prop Nathan Brown's season is over after he underwent surgery on a ruptured bicep following a nightmare weekend of injuries across the league. The Dragons alone suffered eight injuries, while the Tigers' spine has been torn apart by injuries, suspensions and State of Origin duty. There is some good news for injured Canberra winger Savelio Tamale, with the rookie-of-the-year contender's contract extended until the end of 2026. The Warriors will require significant "spine surgery" to stay in the NRL's top four after fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad joined halfback Luke Metcalf on the sideline. After receiving confirmation that Metcalf has a season-ending ACL rupture, the Warriors have now lost Nicoll-Klokstad for four weeks with a medial ligament tear. The two injuries - suffered in Saturday's loss to Brisbane - will force a major reshuffle of a Warriors team who have shocked the NRL to sit fourth on the ladder. The Warriors have the bye this week, but coach Andrew Webster has a number of options at both fullback and halfback the following week against Wests Tigers. Regardless, having anyone play to the level of Metcalf this season will be a challenge, given he led the Dally M race when it went behind closed doors in May. Tanah Boyd looms as the most likely option to fill the No.7 jersey, with the former Gold Coast halfback taking the Warriors to top spot in NSW Cup this year. After moving from the Titans over the summer, Boyd has won all 13 games he has played in reserve grade this season. That would allow Te Maire Martin to remain as a bench utility, after spending time at hooker, fullback and halfback in one game last week against the Broncos. Taine Tuaupiki will almost certainly take the No.1 jersey, after doing so once earlier in the season and also playing the last month at fullback in NSW Cup. The Warriors were already without NSW State of Origin prop Mitchell Barnett for the rest of the year with an ACL rupture, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also out for at least another fortnight. "I believe in this team and the whole club. Whoever steps up from (NSW) Cup will do a good job," captain James Fisher-Harris said. "The belief in our squad is immense. Whatever happens with injuries, I still believe in the younger boys." Elsewhere, Manly prop Nathan Brown's season is over after he underwent surgery on a ruptured bicep following a nightmare weekend of injuries across the league. The Dragons alone suffered eight injuries, while the Tigers' spine has been torn apart by injuries, suspensions and State of Origin duty. There is some good news for injured Canberra winger Savelio Tamale, with the rookie-of-the-year contender's contract extended until the end of 2026. The Warriors will require significant "spine surgery" to stay in the NRL's top four after fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad joined halfback Luke Metcalf on the sideline. After receiving confirmation that Metcalf has a season-ending ACL rupture, the Warriors have now lost Nicoll-Klokstad for four weeks with a medial ligament tear. The two injuries - suffered in Saturday's loss to Brisbane - will force a major reshuffle of a Warriors team who have shocked the NRL to sit fourth on the ladder. The Warriors have the bye this week, but coach Andrew Webster has a number of options at both fullback and halfback the following week against Wests Tigers. Regardless, having anyone play to the level of Metcalf this season will be a challenge, given he led the Dally M race when it went behind closed doors in May. Tanah Boyd looms as the most likely option to fill the No.7 jersey, with the former Gold Coast halfback taking the Warriors to top spot in NSW Cup this year. After moving from the Titans over the summer, Boyd has won all 13 games he has played in reserve grade this season. That would allow Te Maire Martin to remain as a bench utility, after spending time at hooker, fullback and halfback in one game last week against the Broncos. Taine Tuaupiki will almost certainly take the No.1 jersey, after doing so once earlier in the season and also playing the last month at fullback in NSW Cup. The Warriors were already without NSW State of Origin prop Mitchell Barnett for the rest of the year with an ACL rupture, while Dallin Watene-Zelezniak is also out for at least another fortnight. "I believe in this team and the whole club. Whoever steps up from (NSW) Cup will do a good job," captain James Fisher-Harris said. "The belief in our squad is immense. Whatever happens with injuries, I still believe in the younger boys." Elsewhere, Manly prop Nathan Brown's season is over after he underwent surgery on a ruptured bicep following a nightmare weekend of injuries across the league. The Dragons alone suffered eight injuries, while the Tigers' spine has been torn apart by injuries, suspensions and State of Origin duty. There is some good news for injured Canberra winger Savelio Tamale, with the rookie-of-the-year contender's contract extended until the end of 2026.
