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:
2. Bradman Best
I'm an unashamed fan of Bradman Best.
He has been near best on ground every time he has worn the sky blue jersey for NSW.
Best was a monster last year in the Decider, at Suncorp. He's also started the season pretty well.
Kind of all makes sense now doesn't it? The only potential road block is needing to move Stephen Crichton to the wing.
As with Xerri, it absolutely can be done. Perhaps it even should be done, given Crichton's abilities one wider and the fact it does allow Bradman Best to continue his Origin career.
Best, at full flight, will be near impossible to overlook.
His Origin career to date consists of two games, three tries, 145 metres(ish) per game and two wins.
He simply cannot have done much more to prove himself at the top level!
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.