Preparation for first State of Origin game continues to be less than ideal for Queensland.
Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston did not take part in an opposed session for the Maroons after being quarantined from the rest of the side.
The virus is the latest set-back for the Maroons as they prepare to take on the New South Wales Blues in the first game of the series on Wednesday night in Sydney.
Thurston was a notable omission from the side’s session against Intrust Super Cup side Sunshine Coast, however, Darius Boyd’s chances of playing received a big boost.
The Newcastle fullback has been battling an ankle injury after being selected for the Maroons on the wing, but he looked solid on kick-returns.
Underlying the importance of the session, Queensland coach Mal Meninga said if the Knights custodian did not come through it well, he would have been ruled out of the clash with the Blues.
The turmoil continues to swirl around the side after much of the attention has been centered in the police investigation relating to Ben Te’o alleged assault of a Brisbane woman.
While Thurston has three days to recover from the virus and wear the number six jersey for the Maroons, Daly Cherry-Evans did not look out of place in the opposed session according to Billy Slater.
“He’s a great player, obviously he won a premiership with the Sea Eagles in his first year and he’s a very mature young fella,” Slater said.
“You see that in his footy, he makes some great decisions and takes the line on when needed.
“Obviously Mal holds him in high regard bringing him in as 18th man and he’s been in the system for a while now.
“He enjoys the occasion and he will fit in really well if needed.”
New South Wales will be out to end Queensland’s stranglehold on the State of Origin trophy, with the side from north of the border winning the prestigious trophy for the past seven years.
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