The Blues are facing yet another injury setback just two days before the State of Origin series opener.
New South Wales centre Stephen Crichton was spotted limping off the training pitch at the Ballymore training facility on Monday.
A brief video captured by The Sydney Morning Herald shows Crichton with thick padding or ice applied to his left thigh.
Images taken earlier in the training session reveal that Crichton did not have any strapping on either leg.
Blues utility Connor Watson attempted to downplay the incident when addressing the media.
Stephen Crichton was seen limping off the training field. Sydney Morning Herald
“He’s all good, just had a bit of ice on his quad,” Watson remarked.
“Probably just a minor cork, but he’s fine.
“He will be alright. I think it’s just a cork, so he’ll recover. You can ice them, warm them up, and he’ll be sorted.”
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Crichton, who captains Canterbury, has been in outstanding form in the NRL, and his absence would significantly impact the Blues.
He arrived at Origin camp with an ongoing injury, and the extended squad includes Campbell Graham, who would step in if Crichton is forced to withdraw.
Another injury concern looming over NSW is powerful prop Payne Haas.
The Broncos front-rower is managing a hamstring injury and had limited involvement in training on Monday as well.
The final training session will take place during Tuesday’s captain’s run, where Haas will need to demonstrate his fitness ahead of the showdown at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.
On Monday, the Blues were surprised by a visit from Les Kiss during training.
Kiss, a former Queensland Origin player, is currently coaching the Queensland Reds and is set to take over as coach of the Wallabies.
In a humorous moment, Watson admitted he hardly recognised Kiss and was unaware that he had previously played for the Maroons.
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