Overview
- The Blues confirmed on Monday that 21-year-old Ethan Strange passed a running session at Ballymore and will stay on the six-man bench for Wednesday’s State of Origin decider.
- Strange had rolled his left ankle in training last Thursday and was initially rated 50/50 before the weekend of treatment and Monday’s fitness check.
- Matt Burton, who had been flown into camp as an emergency replacement, returned to Sydney after Strange was cleared to resume preparations for Canterbury’s upcoming NRL match.
- NSW view Strange as a back-up playmaker who will only be used if Nathan Cleary or Mitchell Moses are unable to continue, which keeps the Blues’ tactical options intact for Suncorp.
- Teammates and staff cited Strange’s strong showing in game one and his versatility as reasons to retain him on the bench, a choice that reduces last-minute disruption to team plans ahead of Tuesday’s captain’s run.