Brisbane's Wallace to miss Tigers' clash - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Brisbane's Wallace to miss Tigers' clash

By Steve Jancetic 16/06/2008 06:51:25 PM Comments (0)

NSW selectors will be forced to gamble on an underdone Peter Wallace for Origin III with the Brisbane No.7 next to no chance of playing again before the series decider.

In a major blow to the Blues hopes of reclaiming interstate supremacy for the first time since 2005, sources close to the Broncos on Monday revealed that the groin injury Wallace suffered in Origin II was almost certain to keep him out of Friday night's NRL clash with Wests Tigers.

Wallace underwent minor surgery the day after NSW's 30-0 loss to the Maroons in Brisbane last Wednesday.

While it is believed Wallace would be right to play in game three if selected, he would have had three weeks between games by the time the June 2 decider rolled around.

"At this time of year it's always a concern when someone misses a lot of football," NSW selector Laurie Daley said.

"Not knowing whether he's going to be back, and in what shape he'll be, we may just have to weigh up other options.

"It's a case of whether we think he can get by without playing beforehand ... it's something we'd have to discuss as a (selection) group."

After starring on Origin debut in game one, Wallace struggled through game two in Brisbane, his groin injury and a playing behind a badly beaten pack doing nothing to aid his chances of prospering.

Still, it was believed selectors were keen stick with the 22-year-old for the series finale, until Monday's news that he was unlikely to play against the Tigers.

Blues utility Kurt Gidley and Parramatta halfback Brett Finch would come into contention to replace Wallace, as would Newcastle No.7 Jarrod Mullen who was due to go head to head with Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston in Monday night's NRL clash in Townsville.

Joining Wallace on the sidelines this week will be South Sydney star Craig Wing, who was expected to make his return from a dislocated shoulder against Gold Coast on Monday night.

Wing hasn't played since going down in the opening minutes of the Rabbitohs' round one loss to arch rivals Sydney Roosters.

He has been training for the past three weeks, but said the shoulder wasn't quite right with the 28-year-old claiming the round 16 clash against North Queensland was a more likely comeback date.

"I won't be playing this week," Wing told AAP.

"There's no setback, it's just the way it's been going, it's a week by week thing, it's not (at the point) where I feel comfortable just yet.

"I'll just have to wait another week."

Meanwhile the NRL match review committee laid no charges following the weekend's round of matches.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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