MILFORD IN AS INJURIES STRIKE
Gagai scare as Walters names side
QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters is confident Dane Gagai will be fit for Origin I after the Maroons winger suffered a freak injury at training in a drama-charged build-up to the series opener tonight.
Gagai was ordered to undergo urgent scans after sustaining a compound dislocation to his finger while catching a bomb midway through Queensland’s final training run at the MCG yesterday.
The mishap came just 24 hours after Billy Slater withdrew with a hamstring injury.
Gagai returned to the team hotel with his hands buried deep in his pockets as Maroons skipper Greg Inglis shouted with a wry grin to the media: “I don’t know if he’s in doubt.”
It is understood the injury drew blood and is the same dislocation that forced Penrith forward Trent Merrin to miss a match against the Cowboys last month after damaging his hand in the warm-up.
While Gagai remained in doubt last night, Walters was confident the Test flyer will take his place on the right wing against the Blues.
“Dane did say, ‘I won’t be missing this game regardless’, he will be playing,” Walters said.
“He has gone off for scans and x-rays this afternoon to see how bad it is.
“I expect him to play, he came back out and trained. He caught some footballs and passed some balls so we’re expecting him to play, but again it depends on what happens with all the medical stuff that he has to get through.
“It was a compound dislocation. I don’t think there is any break there which is a good thing. He is in a fair bit of pain but he came back and finished off the session. That is a positive for Gags.”
Walters yesterday finalised his starting 17 for the MCG opener. Should Gagai get the green light, Michael Morgan will replace Slater at fullback, with Anthony Milford edging out young Kalyn Ponga for the utility spot on the bench.
The 20-year-old Ponga has been in sizzling touch for the Knights but Walters said Morgan’s experience, having played eight Origin games, was crucial.
“Kalyn played on Saturday night for the Knights, that is putting too much pressure on him to play at this level with limited preparation,” he said.
Walters also backed Milford, who will play his second Origin game after his debut in last year’s opener.
“Milford will be like all our 14s,” he said. “I have a lot of faith in him as does the rest of the team.
“He can do some things on a footy field that not a lot of players can do. Depending on the situation of the game and what the scoreline is, that’s how we will bring Anthony into the game.”
Walters also dismissed concerns halfback Ben Hunt was in doubt with a thigh injury. “Ben is right to go,” he said. “He has some strapping on his leg but he will be right to go.”
Coverage on Channel 9 begins at 7pm tonight. Kick-off at 8pm.