Latest news with #To'o
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Blues happy to give Luai time to beat infection
NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II. NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II. NSW would be willing to give a hospitalised Jarome Luai until late in the week to overcome an infection, wanting him training by Thursday ahead of State of Origin III. Luai was desperately missed by the Tigers in their 28-10 loss to Manly on Friday night, after being ruled out on the morning of the game. The 28-year-old skipped training on Thursday with an infection from a boil, before needing to be hospitalised with fevers. The four-time premiership winner took to Instagram on Saturday to share a story that said "God, thank you for waking me up today", with a caption that read "back up and go again". NSW coach Laurie Daley will name his team for the July 9 Origin decider on Sunday, and it is expected Luai will be picked in the No.6 jersey. AAP understands the Blues would be happy to bring Luai into camp if he was not ready to train, and would be fine with him not taking to the field in their first session on Wednesday. But NSW officials would want him to be fit for Thursday's training run, which usually serves as an opposed run where preparations ramp up for game day. The Tigers painted an optimistic picture over Luai's health on Friday night, believing he could have played if the game was later in the weekend. "I am pretty sure he will be OK for NSW if they pick him," coach Benji Marshall said on Friday night. "He got an infection yesterday and didn't come to training. He said he was going to be all right to play. "And then he went to hospital and had fevers and the infection got a lot worse. "If it was another 24 or 48 hours Jarome would have been right to play. But he wasn't good for today." But while the Tigers missed Luai in attack, his availability for the Blues at Accor Stadium in a week and a half is crucial. Mitch Moses is still out with a calf injury after being hurt in camp for game two, prompting Luai's return to the side. Fellow half Nathan Cleary will be fit to play, after kicking freely in general play in Penrith's win over Canterbury on Thursday night with his sore groin. Cleary is yet to resume goal-kicking after hearing a pop in his groin on the day before Origin II, and has avoided questions on whether he will in Origin III. NSW have already had Matt Burton as back-up half for Origin II, and he appears the most likely to be on standby for Luai and Cleary next week. Serious concerns also remain around winger Brian To'o, who had scans on his left knee on Saturday afternoon. To'o hurt his knee in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and left CommBank Stadium with ice on it. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said as he left the ground on Thursday night. "I think it might've happened during the game. Either way I'm all good ... It's good." If To'o is unavailable for the series decider at Accor Stadium, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would be the clear front-runner to replace him. Kiraz was in line to start the series for the Blues before a calf injury ruled him out. He also came in as cover when To'o battled a hamstring injury before Origin II.
7NEWS
a day ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Brian To'o cleared of high-tackle charge but knee injury still threatens State of Origin decider
Brian To'o's place in NSW's side for the State of Origin decider is set to rest with scans on his knee, after the winger was cleared of a high-tackle charge. To'o was put on report for a high shot late in Penrith's 8-6 win over Canterbury on Thursday night, leaving with him a nervous Friday morning. But the Panthers star was able to breathe a sigh of relief, not even attracting a fine for the high shot on Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri. To'o had played down the tackle after the match, saying his only concern had been to check on Xerri following the hit. The chief concern though could be To'o's left knee. Penrith opted against having it scanned on Friday as they wait to see how it pulls up, but he is expected to undergo an examination on Saturday. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues' Origin II loss in Perth. 'I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign,' To'o said. 'I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good.' To'o did finish the game, similarly to when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. 'I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before,' Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. 'I honestly don't know how he is.' To'o's fitness has been a concern for NSW throughout the series and now appears likely to be so again before the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. The four-time premiership-winner has been a fixture of the Blues' wing since his debut in 2021, having played every game since then. If that streak was to end, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. Kiraz was in line to be picked for game one this year before a calf injury ruled him out. He then came into camp for game two as cover for To'o. Jarome Luai also handed NSW a scare on Friday, when he was withdrawn from Wests Tigers' clash with Manly due to a boil on his chest. At this stage there is no serious concern that the infection will have him in doubt for the Origin decider. There is better news for the Blues in the form of halfback Nathan Cleary, after he heard his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith No.7 didn't kick goals in the Panthers' win over Canterbury, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. 'It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all,' Cleary said. 'This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. 'Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went.'
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brian To'o avoids Origin ban, but now awaits knee scan
The more pressing concern will be his left knee, which To'o injured in the first half, and needed to be strapped. He was able to finish the game, but Penrith medical staff will send To'o for scans on Saturday to be safe. Penrith co-captain Issah Yeo said he wanted to challenge the To'o call because he was convinced the only contact on Xerri was to the chest – not the head – but was unsure if he could once he was placed on report. 'The contact was so hard it made it look like whiplash,' Yeo said. 'We wanted to challenge it after looking at the slo-mo. There was obviously whiplash, but I thought it was more contact with the chest, not the head. 'The tougher the game is, the better he goes, and he showed that again tonight. 'He went into game two off a limited preparation, and he was our best in that game. I thought he was just about our best again tonight.' If scans confirm any damage for To'o, and he is in doubt for the Origin decider on July 9, Canterbury's Jacob Kiraz would come into contention for NSW. Dogs coach Cameron Ciraldo said: 'If Jacob got an opportunity, he wouldn't let anyone down, and he's been one of the form wingers of the comp.' The Panthers made it four wins on the trot to remind the competition why a fifth straight title is not out of the question, despite winning just one of their opening seven games. A Cleary charge-down try in the 55th minute proved the difference, with Cleary's right groin also proving no problems whatsoever. Loading 'I saw the guys outside of him [Burton] were a bit in front of him, so he couldn't pass it – I think I'll end up with a bruised chest because he kicked it that hard into me,' Cleary said of his try. 'I said to dad [coach Ivan Cleary] after the game there was a charge-down in an Origin game in 2022 in Perth, and the ball bounced over my head. I had visions [tonight] of that as the ball was bouncing, and I was like, 'please, don't bounce over my head'. Luckily I got a good bounce.' Casey McLean more than held his own against Crichton, Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards ran for more than 260m, Mitch Kenny tackled himself into the ground, while Canterbury fullback Connor Tracey was the standout in a side that lost no admirers.
The Advertiser
a day ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
To'o avoids ban, but knee still a hurdle before Origin
Brian To'o's place in NSW's side for the State of Origin decider is set to rest on scans on his knee, after the winger was cleared of a high-tackle charge. To'o was put on report for a high shot late in Penrith's 8-6 win over Canterbury on Thursday night, leaving with him a nervous Friday morning. But the Panthers star was able to breathe a sigh of relief, not even attracting a fine for the high shot on Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri. To'o had played down the tackle after the match, saying his only concern had been to check on Xerri following the hit. The chief concern though could be To'o's left knee. Penrith opted against having it scanned on Friday as they wait to see how it pulls up, but he is expected to undergo an examination on Saturday. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues Origin II loss in Perth. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." To'o did finish the game, similarly to when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. "I honestly don't know how he is." To'o's fitness has been a concern for the Blues throughout the series and now appears likely to be so again before the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. The 26-year-old barely trained on a sore hamstring in the lead up to Origin II, but responded by scoring a hat-trick and topping the yardage count in the loss. The four-time premiership-winner has been a fixture of the Blues' wing since his debut in 2021, having played every game since then. If that streak was to end, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. Kiraz was in line to be picked for game one this year before a calf injury ruled him out. He then came into camp for game two as cover for To'o's hamstring. There is better news for the Blues in the form of halfback Nathan Cleary, after he heard his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith No.7 didn't kick goals in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went." Brian To'o's place in NSW's side for the State of Origin decider is set to rest on scans on his knee, after the winger was cleared of a high-tackle charge. To'o was put on report for a high shot late in Penrith's 8-6 win over Canterbury on Thursday night, leaving with him a nervous Friday morning. But the Panthers star was able to breathe a sigh of relief, not even attracting a fine for the high shot on Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri. To'o had played down the tackle after the match, saying his only concern had been to check on Xerri following the hit. The chief concern though could be To'o's left knee. Penrith opted against having it scanned on Friday as they wait to see how it pulls up, but he is expected to undergo an examination on Saturday. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues Origin II loss in Perth. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." To'o did finish the game, similarly to when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. "I honestly don't know how he is." To'o's fitness has been a concern for the Blues throughout the series and now appears likely to be so again before the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. The 26-year-old barely trained on a sore hamstring in the lead up to Origin II, but responded by scoring a hat-trick and topping the yardage count in the loss. The four-time premiership-winner has been a fixture of the Blues' wing since his debut in 2021, having played every game since then. If that streak was to end, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. Kiraz was in line to be picked for game one this year before a calf injury ruled him out. He then came into camp for game two as cover for To'o's hamstring. There is better news for the Blues in the form of halfback Nathan Cleary, after he heard his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith No.7 didn't kick goals in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went." Brian To'o's place in NSW's side for the State of Origin decider is set to rest on scans on his knee, after the winger was cleared of a high-tackle charge. To'o was put on report for a high shot late in Penrith's 8-6 win over Canterbury on Thursday night, leaving with him a nervous Friday morning. But the Panthers star was able to breathe a sigh of relief, not even attracting a fine for the high shot on Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri. To'o had played down the tackle after the match, saying his only concern had been to check on Xerri following the hit. The chief concern though could be To'o's left knee. Penrith opted against having it scanned on Friday as they wait to see how it pulls up, but he is expected to undergo an examination on Saturday. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues Origin II loss in Perth. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." To'o did finish the game, similarly to when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. "I honestly don't know how he is." To'o's fitness has been a concern for the Blues throughout the series and now appears likely to be so again before the July 9 decider at Accor Stadium. The 26-year-old barely trained on a sore hamstring in the lead up to Origin II, but responded by scoring a hat-trick and topping the yardage count in the loss. The four-time premiership-winner has been a fixture of the Blues' wing since his debut in 2021, having played every game since then. If that streak was to end, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. Kiraz was in line to be picked for game one this year before a calf injury ruled him out. He then came into camp for game two as cover for To'o's hamstring. There is better news for the Blues in the form of halfback Nathan Cleary, after he heard his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith No.7 didn't kick goals in the Panthers' win on Thursday night, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
To'o unfazed by high hit, but knee could be an issue
Brian To'o says is unconcerned by being placed on report for a high tackle, but a fresh knee injury could be the winger's latest issue ahead of State of Origin III. To'o was put on report for a high shot on Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri late in the Panthers' 8-6 win on Thursday night. The initial contact appeared to be on Montoya's chest, before To'o's shoulder appeared to bounce up and connect with the lower part of the winger's face. To'o has a clean record and would be able to escape with a fine if hit with a grade-one charge by the match review committee for the tackle on Friday morning. But a grade-two offence would spell trouble, given it would be enough to have him banned for the Origin series decider at Accor Stadium on July 9. Asked if he was worried about the tackle as he left CommBank Stadium on Thursday night, To'o replied: "Nah". He added: "I asked him if he was alright, he said he was sweet. "But I had to check on Brons and see if he was alright." Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and Canterbury counterpart Cameron Ciraldo both played down the tackle. The bigger issue for To'o could be his left knee. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW, after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues Origin II loss in Perth. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." To'o did finish the game, but also did likewise when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. "I honestly don't know how he is." If To'o was to miss, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. The good news for NSW was with Nathan Cleary after hearing his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith halfback didn't kick goals in the win on Friday night, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "They put a lot of work into me and got me into a headspace where I was right to play. "Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went." Brian To'o says is unconcerned by being placed on report for a high tackle, but a fresh knee injury could be the winger's latest issue ahead of State of Origin III. To'o was put on report for a high shot on Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri late in the Panthers' 8-6 win on Thursday night. The initial contact appeared to be on Montoya's chest, before To'o's shoulder appeared to bounce up and connect with the lower part of the winger's face. To'o has a clean record and would be able to escape with a fine if hit with a grade-one charge by the match review committee for the tackle on Friday morning. But a grade-two offence would spell trouble, given it would be enough to have him banned for the Origin series decider at Accor Stadium on July 9. Asked if he was worried about the tackle as he left CommBank Stadium on Thursday night, To'o replied: "Nah". He added: "I asked him if he was alright, he said he was sweet. "But I had to check on Brons and see if he was alright." Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and Canterbury counterpart Cameron Ciraldo both played down the tackle. The bigger issue for To'o could be his left knee. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW, after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues Origin II loss in Perth. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." To'o did finish the game, but also did likewise when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. "I honestly don't know how he is." If To'o was to miss, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. The good news for NSW was with Nathan Cleary after hearing his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith halfback didn't kick goals in the win on Friday night, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "They put a lot of work into me and got me into a headspace where I was right to play. "Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went." Brian To'o says is unconcerned by being placed on report for a high tackle, but a fresh knee injury could be the winger's latest issue ahead of State of Origin III. To'o was put on report for a high shot on Canterbury centre Bronson Xerri late in the Panthers' 8-6 win on Thursday night. The initial contact appeared to be on Montoya's chest, before To'o's shoulder appeared to bounce up and connect with the lower part of the winger's face. To'o has a clean record and would be able to escape with a fine if hit with a grade-one charge by the match review committee for the tackle on Friday morning. But a grade-two offence would spell trouble, given it would be enough to have him banned for the Origin series decider at Accor Stadium on July 9. Asked if he was worried about the tackle as he left CommBank Stadium on Thursday night, To'o replied: "Nah". He added: "I asked him if he was alright, he said he was sweet. "But I had to check on Brons and see if he was alright." Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and Canterbury counterpart Cameron Ciraldo both played down the tackle. The bigger issue for To'o could be his left knee. The 26-year-old confirmed after the match he had suffered a fresh issue when he required strapping to it in the first half, and he left the ground with ice around it. To'o's fitness is crucial for NSW, after his sheer power helped him score a hat-trick in the Blues Origin II loss in Perth. "I'm still walking, that's the main positive sign," To'o said. "I think it might've happened during the game, either way I'm all good ... It's good." To'o did finish the game, but also did likewise when he hurt his hamstring in round four before being ruled out for five weeks. "I'm not too sure. He kept playing, but I have seen him do that before," Panthers coach Ivan Cleary said when asked about how To'o was. "I honestly don't know how he is." If To'o was to miss, Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz would loom as the most likely replacement. The good news for NSW was with Nathan Cleary after hearing his groin pop on the day before Origin II in Perth. The Penrith halfback didn't kick goals in the win on Friday night, and remains unsure if he will be able to do so in the decider. But crucially, he got through Thursday night unscathed. "It was good, I didn't really have any scares at all," Cleary said. "This week I got two really solid training sessions in and felt confident. I am very grateful to the NSW physios and Penrith physios. "They put a lot of work into me and got me into a headspace where I was right to play. "Goalkicking is the next box to tick, but I was happy with how it went."
