Queensland have a State of Origin injury concern with J’maine Hopgood ruled out of Parramatta’s clash against Sydney Roosters with a back problem.
Hurt in Origin I when hit hard by Liam Martin, Hopgood battled through limited minutes against Canterbury last week.
He was then pulled by the Eels on Friday night for Saturday’s clash, leaving renewed concerns over the forward’s fitness for Origin II at the MCG on June 26.
Hopgood’s fate will likely sit in the hands of Maroons’ medical staff even if picked by coach Billy Slater, with the 25-year-old considered a week-by-week proposition.
In better news for Parramatta, Ryan Matterson has been named in Hopgood’s place to make his return after a month out through illness following a head knock.
Hopgood’s withdrawal came just hours after his potential Queensland replacement in David Fifita was ruled out of Gold Coast’s match against Wests Tigers with an ankle complaint.
A shock omission from Queensland’s game-one win, Fifita had been long odds to return to the Maroons’ team for Game II on June 26.
But any hope of pushing his case on Saturday at Leichhardt Oval is now further hindered, with Titans officials confirming he would miss the match against the last-placed Tigers.
In a statement, the Titans said the move to rest Fifita was only “precautionary”, after he had suffered a “minor ankle injury”.
It is expected he will return next week against the Warriors, in the Origin-impacted round 16.
Fifita’s absence will see Klese Haas move to an edge for Gold Coast, while Erin Clark is now listed to start at lock with Jacob Alick-Wiencke coming on to the bench.
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