June 06, 2008

QUEENSLAND face a critical 24 hours with concerns growing over captain Darren Lockyer's fitness and selectors hauling luckless Gold Coast halfback Scott Prince into Origin camp.

Prince was initially called up as back-up for halfback Johnathan Thurston after he twinged his groin at training on Thursday.

Subsequent scans cleared Thurston of any serious injury.

However as the day of drama unfolded, it emerged Lockyer's reconstructed right knee was of more concern and that Prince was insurance for both halves who'll be medically assessed over the weekend.

While Thurston eased fitness concerns by completing the Maroons' 30 minute opposed session at Sanctuary Cove late today, Lockyer quit after 10 minutes to ice his right knee.

“It's all precautionary,” said Queensland coach Mal Meninga.

“JT (Thurston) had a twinge on Wednesday and we're making sure if anything does go wrong at the back end of the week, Scotty can come in.

“It's the same with Locky and we're making sure if he does pull out we can make the change without too much fuss.

“If everything falls over at the weekend at least we gave Scotty (Prince) a chance to train with the team.”

Earlier in the day Lockyer told a sponsor's lunch both he and Thurston expected to play.

“We both hope to play but we have to have plan B in place,” said Lockyer.

Bookmakers Sportingbet Australia suspended Origin betting and also pulled the market on the Titans-Storm clash on Monday with uncertainty over Prince.

“New South Wales could well run favourite, even up at Suncorp Stadium if that happened,” said Sportingbet's Bill Richmond.

“If Thurston comes out and Lockyer plays, the market doesn't really change as many would argue Scott Prince should be there in front of Thurston anyway.

“But if Lockyer comes out, the money will come for the Blues.”

One punter who put $30,000 on the Titans at $1.15 will be praying both Thurston and Lockyer play Origin.

While Queensland were grappling with the prospect of losing Lockyer, NSW were in high spirits after confirming centre Mark Gasnier, who starred in Origin I, had been cleared of a hamstring injury to play.

NSW coach Craig Bellamy finalised his side for next Wednesday's clash by naming Melbourne's Steve Turner on the wing in place of suspended Jarryd Hayne and releasing Joel Monaghan back to club side Canberra.

But while confidence continues to grow in the NSW camp, the under-siege Queenslanders are using the injury adversity to galvanise a side ahead of the must-win clash.

Thurston didn't speak to the media but his Origin roomie Karmichael Hunt was confident the champion halfback would play on Wednesday night.

“I know he had scans (on Wednesday),” said Hunt, psyched to play a utility role in several positions.

“He's my room mate and I was speaking to him this morning and he said he was fit to go. He'll have to nurse it so he doesn't do any further damage but I think he's right to play.”

Lockyer, who returned to action against Parramatta last week, took his first steps at training since entering Origin camp on Tuesday.

While the plan was always to ease him back into action, officials are concerned his recovery progress has not been as quick as hoped.

The next 48 hours will be crucial to Lockyer with Meninga unlikely to take a risk on a player's fitness for such a huge game - even if his name is Darren Lockyer.

“He is going to be the best judge in regards to whether he wants to play or not,” said Meninga.

“It will be his decision based on the pain.”