Cordner confident despite week of tribulations

NSW captain Boyd Cordner has become a makeshift counsellor for Andrew Fifita as the giant forward once again deals with distracting off- field issues.

Cordner yesterday revealed he had recovered from a calf injury and would “100 per cent” play the State of Origin decider.

He will put the finishing touches on his injury recovery at today’s captain’s run on the Gold Coast.

Cordner has also been careful to look after the mental welfare of Fifita, who was engulfed in a racism row after a Queensland pub posted a photo of a black doll on the back of a patron claiming it was his daughter.

“It’s hard when you have something like that during the week in Origin because it is so amplified. It does get to you,” Cordner said.

“I think he has had about three of them. If anyone can do it, it is Andrew. He has been in those situations before.

“Just being around him, he has handled himself pretty well through the week. You know how much something like that can get to you, especially during a week like Origin.

“You have to be aware that is going on and try to help him out if he needs it.

“Everything has been sorted out there. He has moved on from that. He is training really well and he has got on with the week as normal. So I will be expecting a massive game from him.

“He is over it and is moving forward. He has bigger and better things on his mind.”