League: Blues star in doubt after police laid charges

Michael Jennings was man of the match in Origin 11. Photo / Getty Images

The Origin III prospects of NSW and Sydney Roosters centre Michael Jennings are now in the balance after being charged by police in the early hours of Saturday morning.

NSW coach Laurie Daley was yesterday planning to gather the details surrounding the alleged incident which led to Jennings and his brother, injured Penrith Panthers under-20s player Robert Jennings, being charged for offensive behaviour in Parramatta at 2.30am yesterday morning.

"I won't make a comment until we know all the facts," Daley told The Sunday Telegraph. "It's really important we collect the relevant information before making any decisions."

Sydney Roosters chief executive Brian Canavan also confirmed yesterday the club are conducting an internal investigation and that the NRL Integrity Unit had been informed.

"He's been squeaky clean with us at the Roosters and that's why this is so surprising," Canavan said. "From a club point of view, we're really disappointed he was out at that time of night."

Ironically, it's Jennings' Roosters teammate and reformed bad boy Blake Ferguson who has emerged as the most likely to benefit should Jennings miss Origin III.

Ferguson would probably have been included in NSW's 19-man squad for games one and two had he not been injured - he marked his comeback from injury with a match-winning try against the Warriors last weekend.

Staunchly protective of the NSW culture, Daley faces the dilemma of taking the similar hardline stance he took against NSW and Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce, who was overlooked ahead of Origin I last year. Pearce was overlooked after he was arrested and fined after an altercation with police in King's Cross last year.

Jennings, who was man of the match in Wednesday's 26-18 defeat of Queensland, was arrested and issued with a field court attendance notice for hindering police and offensive behaviour. He is expected to appear in court on July 20 - 12 days after the Origin decider in Brisbane.

His brother was allegedly kicking a boom gate. When police approached, Jennings is alleged to have come at them aggressively.

Daley, who has built his NSW side on trust and loyalty, is loath to make any changes to his Blues outfit but the Jennings situation could force his hand.