Finally cleared of injury, Queensland are set to cause some pain of their own with some “fireworks” in Wednesday’s State of Origin opener after claiming NSW’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard had fired up their forward pack.
After a tumultuous build-up, the Maroons were breathing a little easier on Wednesday with star winger Dane Gagai a confirmed starter for Origin I at the MCG after being cleared of a finger fracture.
Queensland appeared in disarray when Gagai suffered a compound dislocation at Tuesday’s match eve training run at the MCG barely 24 hours after veteran fullback Billy Slater pulled out with a hamstring complaint.
While Queensland assistant coach Josh Hannay admitted Gagai may need a painkilling injection, he confirmed last year’s Wally Lewis Medal winner as player of the series would take his place after X-rays cleared him of a break.
“I would be surprised if he didn’t need an injection for the pain,” Hannay said after the Maroons’ traditonal team walk.
“When he went off it was a bit of a shock. (But) this morning he has woken up fine and he will be fit to play.
“He’s got a sore finger – it’s not the end of the world. He will handle it.”
Gagai kept his left hand firmly in his jacket throughout the team walk, refusing to show TV cameras his damaged finger.
Hannay held no fears that Gagai would be targeted and exposed in defence.
But he did issue a warning to the Blues pack that there would be “fireworks” in Origin I thanks to Campbell-Gillard.
The Blues giant clearly ruffled feathers in the Maroons camp when he claimed: “I can’t wait to get out there and start killing some people”.
“He has to live with what he said,” Hannay said of the prop’s comment.
Asked if he expected fireworks, Hannay said: “I think there could be.
“There has been a bit of chat south of the border and we certainly have some firebrands in our pack – I would not be surprised if a real physical contest erupts.
“Our forward pack always seems to be underrated. I think our forwards like that – they will meet that challenge head on.”
And he tipped Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa to lead the Maroons assault.
“Dylan is a real intimidating, physical type of front rower. He loves these occasions, the ferocity of State of Origin – it will bring out the best in him,” Hannay said.
Hannay was also confident Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes would handle goalkicking duties despite not holding that role at his NRL club.
“Not being a regular goalkicker I wasn’t aware how good (Holmes) was,” said Hannay, a former goalkicker for North Queensland.
“He strikes the ball as good as anyone I have seen. For Val it will be just about handling the pressure,” he said.
