There will be no dream debut for Cowboys veteran Jordan McLean in next week’s State of Origin decider, after the prop was ruled out today with a hamstring injury.
The 30-year-old was a shock inclusion in the Blues’ fold after Payne Haas was forced out of the side, but pulled up lame at training.
McLean confirmed the news, and that now means Newcastle’s Jacob Saifiti could be in line for his debut selection, or coach Brad Fittler could look outside the squad, namely at Parramatta’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard, to fill the gap.
“I’m absolutely gutted,” he said.
“The hardest part will be telling my family.”
Saifiti will likely have the inside track, as he’s already in the squad – meaning he could earn a NSW cap three years after his twin brother Daniel first received the same honour.
Daniel returned to the field last week with Newcastle after missing a month with a knee injury.
It’s brutal luck for McLean, who has been enjoyed a solid season with North Queensland since joining from the Storm back in 2018.
“My career has been full of ups and downs and I’ve kind of gotten used to it,” he said.
“But I thought I might be at a bit of a light at the end of the tunnel getting this opportunity, but it wasn’t to be.”
More to come
