NSW coach Laurie Daley will be forced to make at least one change for State of Origin 2 after Blayke Brailey suffered a broken arm on Friday night. But the Cronulla hooker has vowed to make a speedy return and be ready for Game 3.
Brailey reeled out of a tackle in the second half against Manly and was immediately taken from the field. It was confirmed on Saturday that Brailey fractured his forearm and will be ruled out of Origin 2.
Blayke Brailey suffered a suspected fractured forearm in a huge blow for NSW and Cronulla. Image: Getty/Fox
But the Sharks skipper believes he might only miss three weeks and be available for Origin 3. The return to play timeline for a fractured forearm is fairly varied, but usually sits between four and eight weeks. Players like Jarome Luai and Jahrome Hughes have returned in three weeks in the past, but last week Jacob Preston suffered the same injury and will miss six weeks.
Brailey told The Daily Telegraph he actually pushed the bone back in by himself. “I didn’t feel any pain at all,” he said. “I’m booked for surgery on Monday and aim to be back within the next three weeks. Laurie gave me a call this morning and he was terrific.
“He just told me to do everything possible to get myself right, which of course I will be doing for myself and the Sharks. I’ll be doing everything possible to get back on the field. I’ll even put on one of those Mal Meninga arm guards if I have to.”
Speaking after the game, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said: “Hopefully it’s a clean (break) and not displaced. That would minimise the time on the sideline. Still trying to work out whether we should’ve played him (after Origin 1) but he was delivering for us. He’s such a player, but he’s not going to be out forever.
“Five minutes after Origin he texted and said he wanted to play and he wanted to play for this bloke (Cam McInnes’ 100th game for the club). It’s an opportunity though for other guys. We have Pep (Hohepe Puru) and Bez (Jayden Berrell) who have been ready and have delivered for us.”
Brailey came off the bench for NSW in State of Origin 1 and was hugely influential in the Blues’ comeback from 20-6 to win 22-20. With Queensland down a man due to Kalyn Ponga’s send-off, Brailey tormented the Maroons around the ruck and had a try-assist for Nathan Cleary to get the Blues within four points.
Blayke Brailey looked dejected after Cronulla’s win over Manly.
(Cameron Spencer)Blayke Brailey could miss rest of State of Origin series
Brailey’s absence from Origin 2 opens the door for the return of Api Koroisau, who hasn’t played Origin since 2023. Koroisau was in contention to play Game 1 until he copped a three-game suspension. Warriors hooker Wayde Egan will also come into consideration after he too was reportedly in the frame for Game 1.
Daley also has the option of playing Reece Robson for 80 minutes and not carrying a back-up hooker. But with the six-man interchange bench, it’s highly likely Daley will pick two No.9s.
It’s a cruel blow for Brailey, who only recently had his record streak of 139-consecutive games snapped. It’s the most in NRL history. His appearance in Game 1 was his Origin debut.