The Queensland Maroons have been dealt a significant blow with the announcement that Patrick Carrigan will be sidelined for Game 2 of the State of Origin series due to an ankle injury incurred while playing for the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday afternoon.
This unexpected setback not only affects the Broncos-who stumbled to a loss marking the St. George Illawarra Dragons' first victory of the year-but also puts Billy Slater in a position where he must find a suitable replacement.
Among these candidates is Heilum Luki.
Luki has enjoyed a strong start to the season with the North Queensland Cowboys, showcasing his ability to deliver consistent performances despite his history of injuries.
He was on the radar for Game 1 as part of Billy Slater's selection but ultimately did not make the final cut.
It remains to be seen if Queensland will opt for another second-rower to step into Carrigan's role or if they will instead have Reuben Cotter take on a larger share of responsibilities in the middle.
Luki's edge lies in his impressive ball-running capabilities. In Game 1, Queensland had the Blues on the ropes but ultimately fell short of closing out the match.
Second-rowers have become pivotal in modern rugby, and Luki's skill set makes him an ideal candidate to enter the game and create opportunities off the bench.