State of Origin 2023: Blues in crisis as Jake Trbojevic adds to injury woes
State of Origin coach Brad Fittler’s plans have been torn to shreds following a host of recent injuries in the NSW Blues forward pack.
Trbojevic was controversially overlooked for Origin I last year, a move that backfired on the Blues and prompted him to be rushed back for game two.
His absence this time around will be through bad luck rather than bad selections after Manly Tuesday that he had suffered a grade two tear in his calf, a devastating blow to club and state.
The Sea Eagles are coming off a woeful display against Gold Coast that left a sour taste in the mouth of coach Anthony Seibold and the club’s supporters.
The devastating nature of that defeat has only been amplified by the absence of their most inspirational forward.
Trbojevic was sent for scans on Monday which confirmed the Sea Eagles’ fears, meaning he won’t play again before Blues coach Brad Fittler and advisor Greg Alexander sit down to name their side for Origin I.
Trbojevic has been a loyal lieutenant for Fittler and his absence compounds an earlier injury to Reagan Campbell-Gillard that has shorn the Blues of one of their form forwards.
You can now add Trbojevic to the list. The good news for the Manly and NSW is that his brother Tom Trbojevic has been named to make his comeback from a groin problem, having sat out the Titans clash to give him time to recover.
Centre Tolu Koula is also back after two months on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Originally published as State of Origin 2023: Blues in crisis as Jake Trbojevic adds to injury woes
