South Sydney veteran Cody Walker is available to answer NSW’s halves drama with the star five-eighth declaring he will be fit for the State of Origin series opener if selected.

With Walker having been sidelined by a calf issue, the Blues’ halves shortage took another hit on Saturday night, Nicho Hynes‘ own tight calf failing to get through Cronulla’s 42-0 loss to Penrith.

Hynes will now need a modified training load if picked for the Blues on Sunday night, when coach Michael Maguire is expected to name an extended 20-man squad for the June 5 opener at Accor Stadium.

Hynes wobbled to his feet just before halftime in Cronulla’s 42-0 loss to Penrith on Saturday night, having copped a knee to the head. He passed his head injury assessment but remained off the field, as the calf that has troubled him in recent weeks stiffened up during his spell on the sidelines.

“I’m not certain of the extent, (substituting Hynes out) was more to do with cooling down and tightening up than anything” Fitzgibbon said.

But the Sharks coach said even if Hynes had finished the game, he would have been likely to enter Blues camp under an injury cloud. “Even if he’d got through, he still would have needed to be modified for (Origin camp),” Fitzgibbon said of the player’s lingering calf trouble.

“He’s done well to get through last week and then was getting through tonight. It’s still there, I don’t know the severity of it but it’s not like it’s completely gone.”

Hynes’ setback comes with Nathan Cleary already ruled out of the first two matches with a hamstring injury, while Mitch Moses is yet to return from a foot injury.

Walker also missed the Rabbitohs’ win over Parramatta on Saturday night, drastically reducing his chances of holding onto the No.6 jersey.

The issue could leave Jarome Luai wearing No.7 for NSW with Matt Burton at No.6, as the last two genuine halves contenders to get through Round 12 unscathed.

But the Rabbitohs are adamant a line should not be put through Walker’s name yet for Game I at Accor Stadium, after he was man of the match in Origin III last year.

“I’m expecting Latrell (Mitchell) and Cody to make the team,” interim Souths coach Ben Hornby said. 

Mitchell has confirmed he is available for NSW State of Origin selection if he avoids a ban for a hip-drop tackle after he was sin-binned for a tackle on Eels centre Sean Russell just before halftime on Saturday.

He appeared perplexed when told by referee Chris Butler he would be binned, with the tackle not a typical hip-drop motion.

The Rabbitohs’ fullback has confirmed he “100%” wants to play in Origin, and is likely in a battle with Jesse Ramien and Zac Lomax to be NSW’s left centre with Tom Trbojevic and Bradman Best out with hamstring tears.

A left-field option halves for NSW could be to recall Moses. The incumbent halfback has not played since suffering a bad foot injury on March 24, but Parramatta expect to have him fit to face Cronulla on Thursday night..

“I’d never want to rule anyone out – that’s not my call – but it would be a big ask given the injury Mitch had,” interim Eels coach Trent Barrett said.

Souths skipper Cameron Murray was the first star off the selection table after he suffered a hip flexor complaint during their Round 9 loss to Penrith, ruling him out of the State of Origin series opener and possibly game two in Melbourne.

Murray has been one of NSW’s best in recent years and his absence opens the door or Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi or Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu to step up.

Maguire said he had been considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco assured of keeping his spot. 

After two straight years of series defeats at the hands of Billy Slater’s rejuvenated Queenslanders and the exit of Brad Fittler as coach, the Blues are certain to field a new-look side when the 2024 interstate battle kicks off at Accor Stadium on June 5. 

Last year’s team

Origin III 

1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Bradman Best
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Cody Walker
7 Mitchell Moses
8 Jake Trbojevic
9 Damien Cook
10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Cameron Murray
14 Isaah Yeo
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Reece Robson 
17 Clint Gutherson

The Blues overhauled their line-up for game three last year and they recorded a consolation 24-10 win on home turf. 

From that side, hooker Damien Cook is all but certain to be omitted this time around after a drop in form from the veteran Rabbitoh while Knights forward Tyson Frizell has also likely played his last match for the Blues. 

Only winger Brian To’o and forwards Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo could be considered automatic selections from the Origin III side with Maguire failing to give Tedesco a guarantee recently when asked whether the skipper would again be lining up at fullback.

The spine

Cleary’s absence means Hynes should take over as chief playmaker if his calf is OK with Luai and Burton pressing their claims in recent weeks. 

Tedesco has been steady at fullback for the Roosters but Penrith’s Dylan Edwards has been overshadowing him at club level to mount another strong claim to the NSW No.1 jersey. 

At hooker, Reece Robson played his first two Origins last year and is vying with Api Koroisau and Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey for the starting job. 

The backs

Mitchell has been solid in his return from suspension to be a chance to line up at centre while Trbojevic would have been a certain starter at centre if not for his latest hamstring drama.

Best scored two tries on debut in game three last year and had been getting back to his best for Newcastle before his hamstring went ping while Canterbury recruit Stephen Crichton is another big-game performer in the mix with Ramien and Lomax. 

On the wings, To’o will get one jersey while Lomax has posed a serious challenge to depose Josh Addo-Carr for the other flank with rugby-bound Roosters speedster Joseph Suaalii another option.

The pack

Haas will spearhead the Blues up front, Yeo and Martin will bring experience but the other six forward spots in the run-on side and interchange are up for grabs.

Rabbitohs second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi impressed in his Origin debut last year while Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu has been in strong form in recent weeks and Angus Crichton has played his way back into the team by starring for the Roosters. 

Maguire is reportedly considering a more-experienced hard worker like Cronulla veteran Cameron McInnes while the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo, Hudson Young, Jacob and Daniel Saifiti, and Stefano Utoikamanu are on the long list of candidates.

Possible Blues team

1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Latrell Mitchell
4 Stephen Crichton
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nicho Hynes
8 Payne Haas
9 Api Koroisau
10 Jake Trbojevic
11 Angus Crichton
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
14 Matt Burton
15 Cameron McInnes
16 Haumole Olakau’atu
17 Stefano Utoikamanu
18 Hudson Young
19 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
20 Dylan Edwards