Star Blues fullback James Tedesco is only a “50-50 chance” to line up in game one of the upcoming Origin series, according to NSW coach Brad Fittler.
Tedesco suffered a grade two medial strain in Sydney's Semi Final against Canberra, and could only run in straight lines at NSW training in Wyong on Tuesday.
Despite the setback, arguably the competition’s best player said he was “feeling confident” in lining up for Wednesday’s clash against Queensland.
“I want to be there for all three,” Tedesco told reporters after yesterday’s training session.
“I’m feeling confident, today I just wanted to get it moving, wanted to tick that off and it felt pretty good.
“It felt really stable and strong.
“Thursday will be more volume, then Saturday it’s lateral movement and stepping.
“So that will be the big one. Saturday will be the big test.”
Speaking to reporters, Fittler wasn’t as sure of Tedesco’s availability as the man himself.
“I think it’s 50/50,” Fittler said.
“So I’m trying to stay away from him.
“Otherwise I’d just be harassing him all the time, asking ‘how is the knee, how is the knee?’.
“But we’ve also got Gutho (Clint Gutherson), and then Ryan Papenhuyzen gets into camp tomorrow night so we’ve got depth. A lot of good players.
“So, he (Tedesco) will have to do some convincing.”
If Tedesco doesn’t manage to get up for game one, Fittler will face an interesting call of who to hand the number one jersey to.
Eels star Gutherson is coming off a second-place finish in the Dally M medal, while Melbourne Storm youngster Papenhuyzen is fresh off a scintillating finals series, which culminated in a best afield performance in the NRL Grand Final.
Luckilly for Fittler, the Blues’ incredible depth at the fullback position means the loss of the game’s best player may not be as devastating as initially feared.
Game one of the 2020 State of Origin series will commence at the Adelaide Oval on next Wednesday November 4.