Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Jasper Bruce

To'o backed to be fit but Blues keep Kiraz on stand-by

Saturday is D-day for NSW winger Brian To'o as he tries to fight off a hamstring injury. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

NSW winger Brian To'o is on track to overcome a hamstring issue and play in State of Origin II, but Jacob Kiraz remains on stand-by for a whirlwind debut.

Coach Laurie Daley said he and his staff would make the final call on To'o's fitness after the Blues' final training session in Sydney on Saturday.

The team flies out to Perth the next day with the hopes of sealing a series victory over Queensland.

To'o pulled up sore after Penrith's defeat of Wests Tigers on Sunday and did not train with the team during Thursday's session in the Blue Mountains.

The Blues are taking a cautious approach to To'o's fitness given two previous hamstring issues earlier this season, but are confident he will line up on the left wing at Optus Stadium.

"He trained as well as what we wanted him today so he's on the right path," Daley said.

"He'll be okay, if anything changes, it would be on Saturday because you want to make sure he has a really good hitout. But I don't think he's in any doubt."

Kiraz was called in to train with the Blues on Thursday in To'o's absence, despite outside backs Tom Jenkins and Kotoni Staggs already being in the wider squad.

Kiraz
Airborne Bulldogs winger Jacob Kiraz will know on Saturday whether he will make his Origin debut. (Steven Markham/AAP PHOTOS)

In the event To'o is deemed unfit for Origin II, Daley confirmed Canterbury winger Kiraz would be rewarded for a fantastic season with a maiden Origin cap.

"Most definitely," the coach said.

"We'll make a decision one way or the other on Saturday."

The Blues have already been granted an exemption to bring Jarome Luai into the team from outside the squad Daley initially named, with Mitch Moses now unavailable through a calf injury.

They would need to apply for a second exemption if To'o is also deemed unfit.

But the NRL is typically more lenient in granting such exemptions for Origin, given teams name only a 20-player squad rather than the 22-players for club games.

There is also a sense the best teams possible should be available for Origin.

The opposition is unable to challenge or query a team's request for an exemption, with the NRL assessing each injury on a case-by-case basis before having the final say.

Kiraz will not be available for the Blues' training session on Saturday given the Bulldogs face South Sydney the next day.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.