Ethan Strange has reportedly been given the green light to take his place in the Origin decider on Wednesday night having been passed fit after rolling his ankle late last week.

Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Strange’s injury issue was concerning enough for the Blues to fly in Matt Burton as cover, but according to the Sydney Morning Herald’s Danny Weidler, Strange was training with the squad this morning and is ready to go.

He passed a final fitness test on Monday morning.

It means Burton will leave camp and he won’t be apart of the Blues’ 19-man team to face the Maroons.

Strange has been one of the Blues’ best this series. He started Game I at five-eighth but named on the six-man bench in Games II and III.

BLUES LIGHT FUSE WITH EXPLOSIVE REF CLAIM OVER MAROONS SKIPPER

Maroons star Harry Grant’s gamesmanship has come under notice by several Blues players, who believe the Queensland dummy-half “gets away with a lot”.

Grant’s running communication with referees during games hasn’t been missed by the Blues, with back rower Liam Martin matter-of-factly telling the SMH: “He’s a captain, they have the ref’s ear. There aren’t many that speak (to referees) as much as him.”

There’s a belief among the New South Wales camp that Grant tries to influence referees either with pleas to officials during play or by approaching the referee when there’s a stoppage.

Despite not being Queensland’s skipper, Grant was often caught in referee Ashley Klein’s ear in Games I and II.

Grant’s opposite number Reece Robson says the Maroons hooker’s gamesmanship can give Queensland an edge.

“He definitely gets away with a lot of that sort of stuff,” Robson told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Ashley Klein and Harry Grant in discussion during an Origin clash.Source: Getty Images

“I think the whole Queensland side the last couple of games have been better playing that side of the game.

“That’s something we need to improve. Some people seem to get away with stuff, others don’t.

“Sometimes it can benefit you going after the penalties. It’s something they do really well.”

Blues reserve hooker Blayke Brailey agreed with Robson, noting the clear influence former Storm and Maroons nine Cam Smith has had on Grant.

“Being a captain now, I’ve had to learn in club land about communicating and going about it the right way with refs; you need to talk to them in the right manner so they work with you,” Brailey said.

“There’s an art to it. Cam Smith mastered that. It’s working (for Grant)”

2026 2026 NSW Blues Open Training 260520 – Ethan Strange. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied

D-DAY ARRIVES FOR BLUES STAR

Today is crucial for Blues star Ethan Strange, who will have to prove his fitness for the Origin decider after rolling his ankle at training last week.

Currently under an injury cloud, Strange is set to be given every chance by NSW officials to be available for Wednesday night’s match.

However, CODE Sports understands that the Canberra Raiders star will be ruled out of Game III unless he is able to prove his fitness on Monday morning at a training session in Brisbane.

The decision from the Blues to give him until Monday to prove his availability comes after he spent an hour inside the state’s team room on Sunday, where he met with team doctor Nathan Gibbs, Head of Performance Travis Touma and physio Eddie Farah.

Previously seen in a moon boot, if Strange is unable to get through the session, he will be replaced in the 19-man squad by Matt Burton, who remains in camp as coverage.

Burton was a late inclusion in Game I, joining the squad in place of Mitch Moses, who injured his hamstring at Blues training.

“Yeah, look, I’m doing all I can. I think I should be right. It’s a lot better than yesterday,” Strange said on Friday.