Minichello out of origin Series

[Teegy]

just heard it on the today show on 9. he is out for 4-6 weeks. ill try to find the story

[Teegy]

From SMH.com

NSW will be in trouble now


A SHATTERED Anthony Minichiello has confirmed NSW's worst fears - he may need surgery and is likely to miss the State of Origin series.

The Roosters fullback told the Herald yesterday he was facing surgery to correct a deteriorating back injury. The surgery would put him out for six to eight weeks, virtually ending a chance of him playing any part in the Blues' Origin campaign.

"From what I've been told it's not really major surgery," Minichiello said. "But obviously it can develop into a pretty serious injury, so you've got to get it right."

Asked whether he was confident of returning in time to play Origin, the 25-year-old said: "It's not looking great. Game one's out of the question. The others, we'll see."

After being ruled out of last Friday night's Anzac Test because of his back injury, Minichiello visited a specialist last week and was told he would require an operation.

Desperate for a quick return for the Roosters and eager to continue his dominance of representative football, he will seek a second opinion this week.

The loss of Minichiello has rocked NSW on the eve of the series, which begins with game one on May 24 at Telstra Stadium. Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson has been propelled into the calculations with the Eels' Wade McKinnon and Dragon Ben Hornby.

The Blues' stocks already are thinner than usual with five-eighth Trent Barrett retiring from representative football last week, halfback Andrew Johns ruling himself out, Test back-rower Luke O'Donnell struggling with a rib injury, front-rower Jason Ryles battling a hand problem and Brett Kimmorley on the sidelines with ankle troubles.

Minichiello first injured his back in round three against Canberra when he copped some stray knees. His hamstring troubles have been linked to his back problems.

He has tried cortisone injections, but the injury has worsened in recent weeks.

"It started as just a pain down my left leg," Minichiello said. "I didn't take much notice but it got worse and worse."

Minichiello has been unable to run since the injury deteriorated. "It was pretty hard watching the Test the other night," he said. "It's tough. It's the longest I've ever been on the sideline. It's been very hard sitting in the grandstand."

Meanwhile, ARL chief executive Geoff Carr has all but torpedoed a Jamie Lyon call-up for the NSW side, calling the selection "highly, highly improbable".

With the Blues struggling to find players for their jumpers, there has been increasing speculation that the selectors would turn to the former Eels centre, who has been starring for St Helens at five-eighth, to fill the No.6 spot.

"We've always left it up to the selectors," Carr said. "But the general rule is that they support the NRL players. 'Alfie' Langer came back, but that was an exception.

"It's very hard to get a line on form over there."

[DeeGan]

Good news for Queensland, though it takes away from the Origin series a little and I am disappointed for Minichiello who has been great at Origin level. I much prefer to see the best out there, with this injury, we don't get that though NSW will have a more than capable replacement in Brett Hodgson or Ben Hornby.

I think Brett Hodgson will get the call up for Game 1.

The NSW side is looking a little shaky, my side would be; Hodgson, Tahu, Cooper, Gasnier, King, Gower, Orford, O'Meley

Keep in mind, O'Donnell is likely to miss game one and joins; Minichiello, Johns, Barrett, Kennedy on the sidelines for various reasons.

[Queenslander]

:laugh: Excellent news for Queensland!

[Titanium_BD1103]

Keep in mind we still have Hodgson and Hornby... both of who are of great talent and Hodgson destroyed QLD if I remember correctly a few years back... ;)

Things aren't dire... but losing Mini is a big loss for NSW... :(

[Dakink]

I would think Benny Hornby has a good shot - showed in the games when he moved back there for the dragons that he is one of the best defensive fullbacks running around.

Would Hodgos last appearance be against him?

[DeeGan]

I would think Benny Hornby has a good shot - showed in the games when he moved back there for the dragons that he is one of the best defensive fullbacks running around.

Would Hodgos last appearance be against him?

I don't think so re: Hodgo Dakink - he is a much better player than we he represented NSW last time.

The only hesitation is his size apparently, all 74kg dripping wet :D

[Super Cronk]

Dammit. Hodgson would be my pick aswell deegan. I havent seen enough of Hornby to make a fair comment on him.

[Teegy]

Hornby has been the better this year out of the 2 and also hodgson is just coming back from injury to

[Eel 33]

Hodgo has only just come back from injury recently, might get a crack but IMO Hornby will get the nod atm.

[[BroncosGirl]]

Its good news for Queensland. He will be missed in the NSW side.

But I think Hodgo is up for the job, he may be small, but his kick returns and his ability to be in the right place and the right itme is amazing. He'll do NSW well, I'd say he'll be picked for the first game.

I don't rate Hornby much, nothing special imo, if he got picked , from a QLD point of view I'd be very happy ;):p

[Steelers]

I think Hornby should get the role because Hodgson has been out with an injury and hasn't been outstanding this season.

[Teegy]

from SMH.com


WESTS Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson stated his case for a recall to the NSW side on the field yesterday then declared he was in the best form of his career.

With Blues fullback Anthony Minichiello possibly ruled out for the State of Origin series, Hodgson is vying to be the replacement with St George Illawarra's Ben Hornby.

After yesterday's display, the wiry custodian reminded selectors that he has the confidence to do the job for NSW.

"I believe I'm playing the best footy of my career right now," he said before being named as City Origin fullback. I've spent the last two-and-a-half years at the club and it's rejuvenated me, playing with these young guys. I've always wanted to play Origin again. It's always been my goal. There's a window there so hopefully the selectors will throw my name up."

Another performance like the one he produced yesterday will keep his name in the mind of selectors ahead of the opening Origin match at Telstra Stadium on May 24.

There's belief that Hodgson's lithe frame isn't big enough for the rigours of Origin. The video replays of former Maroons enforcer Gorden Tallis rag-dolling him over the sideline during the 2002 series have been shown more times than he cares to remember.

It was the last time he played for NSW.

Against the Sea Eagles, he was rock solid. Midway through the first half, Sea Eagles halfback Matt Orford punted a ball downfield. With the ball inching towards the sideline and a 40-20 kick, Hodgson batted the ball back into play.

With four minutes before the break, he set up a try for Dean Collis in the corner and kicked the sideline conversion staring into the sun.

"I always put myself in with a chance," he said. "Minichiello is the incumbent Australian so if he's out for an extended period of time, I'd put my hand up and say I'm ready again."

[Kallan]

This gives Queensland some more hope, i am not sure between Hodgson and Hornby at the moment.

[Townsville Titan]

DAMMIT!!!

Anyone who plays for us either retires or gets bloody INJURED!!!
:box: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box: :box: