New South Wales skipper Paul Gallen looks likely to miss this month’s State of Origin opener, according to reports.
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Gallen is currently out of action with a hip injury and faces an uphill battle to be ready for the opener in Sydney on May 27.
According to AAP, Gallen has been restricted to gym training for the past week and is no chance to face the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday.
NSW coach Laurie Daley previously stated that Gallen would have to be fit and ready to go into camp on May 19, however it seems unlikely given his current slow recovery.
Gallen told Channel Nine’s Footy Show that he expected not play in any NRL games before Origin I, but said he wasn’t concerned about his fitness heading into Australian rugby league’s showpiece event
“There will be no run before Origin I if I do get there,” Gallen was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It’s not ideal but I have done it before, I’m not concerned about my fitness, I have played plenty of football at Origin and club level.”
Gallen’s possible omission would come as a huge loss to New South Wales, with coach Laurie Daley already limited on options due to a combination of injuries and lack of form.
The Blues will be looking for back-to-back State of Origin series wins after claiming a long-awaited triumph in 2014.
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