State of Origin: Dane Gagai in doubt for Origin one with tonsilitis

Brendan Bradford

State of Origin: Dane Gagai in doubt for Origin one with tonsilitis image

Dane Gagai has tonsilitis and will miss Queensland's scheduled Sunday training session, but is expected to fly to Townsville with the side on Monday. 

Gagai fell ill late last week and the Maroons have since announced the South Sydney centre is on antibiotics. 

"Queensland Maroons player Dane Gagai is receiving treatment and will sit out of training today," a statement read. 

"Maroons doctor Matt Hislop confirmed Gagai is being treated with a course of antibiotics for tonsillitis.

"Gagai is expected to be well enough to travel with the team to Townsville tomorrow."

It is unclear whether Gagai's spot in Paul Green's first Queensland Origin team is in jeopardy. 

State of Origin kicks off on Wednesday night at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in Townsville. 

The match was moved from the MCG after Melbourne went into lockdown following another COVID-19 outbreak.

Green has already been forced to reshuffle his side after Kalyn Ponga failed to recover from a groin injury. 

Ponga went into camp with an adductor strain, but failed a vigorous fitness test last Wednesday and was released from camp.

“Kalyn has been progressing with his rehab but time is against us and the decision has been made for him to return to the Newcastle Knights where he can focus on further recovery," team doctor Matt Hislop said. 

Valentine Holmes is expected to shift from the wing to fullback, with Kyle Feldt set to make his Origin debut. 

Meanwhile, Cameron Munster has announced he will be fit to play despite being sidelined for the past month with a foot injury.

“It’s obviously going to be tough, but at the end of the day, I’m going to do everything I can to play well on Wednesday," he said.

"My lungs will obviously be hurting, every game you play in Origin it always hurts. I’m sure I’ll get some intensity in my legs in the next couple of days and make sure I’m right.

“I did have scans on it to see if I needed to get surgery at all, and if I did I would probably have been out for 6-8 weeks. I’m very lucky I didn’t need to do it."

 

Brendan Bradford