NSW coach Brad Fittler admits the withdrawal of Daniel Saifiti is a "huge loss" after the towering Newcastle prop was ruled out of State of Origin III with a rib injury.
Saifiti has been a dominant force in NSW's 50-6 and 26-0 triumphs in games one and two of the series and was shattered when he suffered rib-cartilage damage during Saturday's 38-0 win against North Queensland.
Saifiti ran for 244 metres across Origins I and II, the most by any forward, and made a combined 56 tackles as the Blues clinched the series with a game to spare.
A leading candidate to make his debut for the Kangaroos at the end-of-season World Cup, the 25-year-old was desperate to play his part in all three games of an Origin clean sweep. But Fittler said Saifiti was unselfish by withdrawing.
"He's a huge loss," Fittler told the media on Monday. "Since [Saifiti's Origin debut in] Perth a couple of years ago he's been at the head of our footy team.
"There was a three-way discussion between Newcastle, Daniel and [doctor] Nathan Gibbs.
"Rib cartilage is a very painful injury and if he was to play he would have been under a major amount of duress. He wouldn't be able to train that much ...
"Daniel was of the feeling that he was letting us down but he needs to go away and finish the season strong for Newcastle."
Saifiti, who played for 37 minutes in Newcastle's 38-0 win over the Cowboys on Saturday, would also appear to be in doubt for Newcastle's next game, against Melbourne on Saturday week.
Junior Paulo and Payne Haas are now tipped to start together in the NSW front row, while Melbourne workhorse Dale Finucane will come onto the bench.
As expected, Queensland have rushed Kalyn Ponga in after the Newcastle fullback's spectacular return from a groin injury on Saturday.
Knights utility Kurt Mann was named on standby for the Maroons in jersey No.19.
- MORE NRL: PAGES 38-39
