State of Origin: Payne Haas sits out first NSW training session, while Stephen Crichton joins Blues Mountains session

Payne Haas has sat out NSW’s first full training session, with the Blues managing the powerhouse prop’s quad injury ahead of State of Origin I.

While centre Stephen Crichton (groin) ran on Wednesday, Haas watched on from the sideline as NSW had their first session at Blue Mountains Grammar.

The session took place in wet and miserable conditions, placing even greater concerns on players carrying leg problems.

Brisbane prop Haas had always been expected to have a monitored workload after aggravating his quad in the Broncos’ loss to St George Illawarra on Sunday.

Scans on Monday only showed a minor tear in the front-rower’s left quad, leaving Blues officials confident the 25-year-old would play next Wednesday.

NSW train again on Thursday and Saturday, before flying to Brisbane on Sunday ahead of the Suncorp Stadium series opener.

Haas is expected to be given until as late as possible to prove his fitness, while the Blues do have Melbourne prop Stefano Utoikamanu training in his spot.

NSW have also called Adam Doueihi, Cody Ramsey, Hamish Stewart and Jacob Preston into Blues camp as extra training bodies.

Preston was considered a back-row option before copping a four-match suspension that ruled the Canterbury forward out of the first two games of the series.

He will remain with the team into the weekend, with reserve second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu to be released and play for Manly on Friday night.