State of Origin: NSW Blues make call on Payne Haas after crucial quad scans

NSW are confident Payne Haas will play in State of Origin I after scans only showed a minor tear in his left quad.

Haas was due to board a plane for Sydney on Monday afternoon, after he underwent scans in the morning that were largely positive.

The Brisbane powerhouse will be placed on a monitored workload ahead of next Wednesday’s State of Origin series opener.

But Blues officials expect him to be able to take his spot, in what doubles as a massive boost for NSW.

Haas had pulled up sore from Brisbane’s loss to St George Illawarra on Sunday, adding to a nightmare weekend for the Blues.

Centre Stephen Crichton picked up a minor groin niggle, while props Jacob Saifit (calf) and Jake Trbojevic (concussion) were both ruled out.

“It’s amazing how it works out,” Daley said on entering Blues camp on Monday.

“It’s like a Formula One race. Nothing happens, and then all of a sudden something occurs and there’s carnage.

“(Payne)‘s one of the best front-rowers in the game, if not the best.

“We’re hoping that he can play and we’re hoping that the scan will see nothing there and he’ll be right to come down to Sydney and start preparing.’‘

Haas’s left quad issue came after he had battled back soreness in the past fortnight.

Crichton has also entered camp with some concerns over his groin, but is not believed in serious doubt for next Wednesday’s opener at Suncorp Stadium.

If the issue was to worsen, Campbell Graham is in the Blues’ squad as cover for Crichton, with Daley suggesting he didn’t believe Tom Trbojevic’s body was ready for the rigours of Origin.

“Everyone agrees that if Tom is fit he is one of the best players in the game,” Daley said.

“But we’re comfortable with everyone we’ve selected in the outside backs.

“Tom needs to go back and play some good footy and be confident. I have no doubt Tommy will be back in this arena at some point.”

Daley, meanwhile, confirmed that if Haas was to be out than Stefano Utoikamanu would come into the side and join Max King as a debutant.

That selection meant there would be no room for in-form Wests Tigers front-rower Terrell May regardless, who is a big-minute player like Haas.

Daley said he had not spoken to Haas about being overlooked and did not feel the need to.

But he also insisted he had not taken issue with May’s social media comment last week, when he told a friend to chuck a NSW jersey he had bought him “in the bin”.

“I just think the others played better than Terrell May,” Daley said.

“All the things that I’m looking for from a player, Max King is playing outstanding.

“Terrell’s playing great, but he needs to keep knocking on the door. I’m sure his time will come at some stage.”

The returning Blues coach also backed Mitch Moses and Nathan Cleary to be fine combining in the halves, despite both being dominant right-side playmakers.

NSW SIDE FOR STATE OF ORIGIN I

Dylan Edwards, Brian To’o, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton, Zac Lomax, Mitch Moses, Nathan Cleary, Mitch Barnett, Reece Robson, Payne Haas, Liam Martin, Angus Crichton, Isaah Yeo (c). Bench: Connor Watson, Spencer Leniu, Hudson Young, Max King. Reserves: Campbell Graham, Stefano Utoikamanu, Haumole Olakau’atu.