Morgan ruled out after Origin blow
A Cowboys spokesman confirmed yesterday that Morgan would not be able to take the field against the Roosters with the five-day turnaround not long enough to meet the NRL’S extensive concussion protocols.
He will also undergo further assessments from the Cowboys medical staff in the coming days before a decision is made on his immediate playing future.
Morgan spoke to reporters outside of the Maroons hotel in Sydney yesterday, and joked that Mcguire would be facing time on the sidelines for the elbow.
“I feel pretty normal, after the game I did a test with the doc and it was all good and I feel OK,” he said.
“I definitely won’t be playing this weekend and I will talk to our doc and work out the process.
“I saw Kevvie say after the game I thought we won, but I knew we didn’t because I was watching it.
“I remember everything before and then from about 10-15 minutes after it. (Mcguire) is facing four weeks for it. He is charged again.”
If Morgan suffers another serious head knock, it may force the North Queenslander to sit on the sidelines for an extended period of time – similar to Roosters five-eighth Luke Keary, who was ruled out for six weeks after sustaining five concussions within 18 months.
Queensland coach Kevin Walters said Morgan had been a big loss for the side just minutes into the second half.
Morgan had been tasked as a third ball-playing role, to help out Daly Cherry-evans and Corey Norman as Queensland attempted to clinch the series.
Walters said the utility star was fine, and also made light of the issue. “He’s OK, that was a big moment for us when we lost him,” he said.
“He was going to be vital for us but he’s fine now. He’s with us. He thinks we won so we have to bring him down from that.”
Asiata is the front-runner to take the Cowboys’ fiveeighth role against the Roosters after Green suggested he would be the man for the job earlier this week.
Asiata moving into the halves opens up a spot on the bench for dummy-half Reuben Cotter who made his debut earlier this year.
“I will do my part throughout the week to make sure I am ready, it doesn’t matter where I am playing. If I have to go there and fill in then I am happy to do that,” Asiata said. “I am doing a bit of everything (at training), wherever I get put I just do my best.”
Coen Hess is also part of the extended 21-man squad and could be a late inclusion if he proves his fitness. Hess is returning from a knee injury he sustained in the Cowboys’ loss to the Tigers last month.