Blues suffer Origin blow as McLean injured at training

Blues player Casey McLean will miss the second State of Origin match after sustaining a new leg injury during a New South Wales training session. The uncapped Mark Nawaqanitawase is considered a strong candidate to fill the vacant spot for Wednesday's game at the MCG. McLean's replacement is expected to be announced shortly.

The injury occurred during the team's final warm-up at Central Coast Stadium on Saturday. McLean, a Penrith center, had only recently recovered from a minor ankle injury sustained the previous Sunday. However, reports indicate he suffered a separate quadriceps problem during training, forcing him to withdraw from drills.

This setback is a significant blow for the young player, who made a notable impact from the bench in his Origin debut, contributing to the Blues' victory in the first game. The team now faces the challenge of adapting their lineup ahead of the crucial second match.