LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Laurie Daley may need to reconsider his selection for State of Origin 1 following a serious injury to Jacob Saifiti.
Initially, reports indicated that Daley was favoring Saifiti for a bench spot, with Terrell May's inclusion seeming unlikely.
However, after Saifiti suffered a calf injury in the Newcastle Knights' loss to Parramatta, the situation has changed.
Saifiti had shown promising form in a previous game against Gold Coast, where he made 213 meters from 21 carries and completed 33 tackles, also bringing valuable Origin experience with two previous games for the Blues.
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien confirmed the injury post-match, noting that calf injuries can be challenging and typically result in a multi-week recovery period.
Consequently, it's improbable that Daley would select Saifiti if he is uncertain about his fitness.
As for Terrell May, he has been performing well this season and may now be in line for his Origin debut, depending on his position in Daley's selection hierarchy.
The starting front-row is likely to consist of Payne Haas and Mitch Barnett, with Spencer Leniu expected to take a bench spot.
This leaves open the possibility for a second interchange front-rower, which many believe should be May.
However, concerns about May's defensive capabilities and overall impact could lead Daley to consider other options, such as Max King, Lindsay Smith, or Keaon Koloamatangi.
Thus, the door could potentially open wide for May, depending on how Daley adjusts his selections following Saifiti's injury.