News broke on Wednesday morning that Eels, Origin and Kangaroos winger Zac Lomax is looking at six weeks on the sidelines.
This puts his Origin One chances in real doubt.
The series opener is on the 28th of May, meaning he would likely get just the one game to press his claim. At best!
If fully fit, Lomax holds onto his Origin spot on the wing. That said, right now it looks very doubtful that he'll be able to run out onto Suncorp Stadium.
We're assuming Brian To'o is fully fit and picked. I'm also locking Latrell Mitchell into the centres with Stephen Crichton.
Below we look at five potential replacements for Zac Lomax:
3. Bronson Xerri
The key to Origin is to pick the hot hand. Right now there are few centres in better form than the Bulldogs centre, Bronson Xerri.
It's a big ask to throw a debutant out onto Suncorp Stadium but Xerri was long considered an Origin prospect prior to his enforced break from the game.
I'd feel much better shifting Stephen Crichton to the wing, where he won a Premiership for Penrith, that playing Xerri out of position.
You could even run with an entire Dogs centre/wing combo, which would surely be the perfect way to potentially blood Xerri.
This looks an outside option at the moment, but I would not begrudge the 24 year-old a rep debut if he continues his blistering form.
I can’t believe that Edwards is better than thirty full-time NRL wingers.
Tommy T is too fragile to pick. He may well already be ruled out by injury, anyway.
Reuben Garrick – doesn’t do too much for me, but I think he would be solid.
Xerri – yes I’d like to see him at centre with Crichton moving out one slot. Good idea!
Best ? I haven’t been as impressed with him as with Xerri, but I wouldn’t moan.
Burton ? Same as for Best, but he the optimum #14.
I’d go Xerri.
… and I would also consider Grant Anderson from the Storm, after he ran in three tries playing on the wing, last weekend. Born in Belmont, just outside Newcastle, so he should be quite eligible to wear a blue jersey.