The New South Wales Blues and Canterbury Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton is facing a potential absence due to a serious shoulder injury, casting doubt on his participation in the upcoming State of Origin series opener.
Crichton sustained the injury during a Good Friday match against the South Sydney Rabbitohs and will undergo scans to assess its seriousness. Coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed concern about the situation, acknowledging that things don't look promising.
If surgery becomes necessary, Crichton's chances of participating in Origin 1 will be virtually eliminated, and he may also miss the rest of the series. However, if he can focus on rehabilitation, there's a slight possibility he could be back in time for the match. The question then would be whether coach Laurie Daley would choose to field him without match fitness.
Numerous players could step into the centre position, and there is a standout candidate among them.
With Brian To'o and Latrell Mitchell likely to retain their spots, and either Thomas Jenkins or Jacob Kiraz vying for the vacant wing position, the list of potential centre replacements includes a mix of skilled players ready to support New South Wales. As they prepare to reclaim the shield from Queensland after the disappointing outcome of 2025, this decision looms large.