WOLLONGONG - Four years after his last Origin appearance for NSW, injured centre Timana Tahu has been given just one more day to prove his fitness ahead of next week's series opener against Queensland.
Blues coach Craig Bellamy has given the dual international a Friday deadline as Tahu battles
to overcome a calf strain picked up in the final minute of Parramatta's win over Manly on Monday night.
He was restricted to boxing sessions on the sidelines as his Blues teammates had their first training run in Wollongong on Wednesday, veteran playmakers Trent Barrett and Brett Finch taking part in the session as cover for the Eels three-quarter.
Barrett and Finch were called into camp on Tuesday night, with Cronulla skipper Barrett - who played in NSW's game three win in last year's series - likely to come into the starting side if Tahu is scratched, with No 6 Jamie Lyon shuffling out to his preferred centre position.
"That's one of our options, obviously the other option would be to start Jamal (Idris in the centres)," Bellamy said of his x-factor on the interchange bench.
"Hopefully by tomorrow we'll have a better idea of whether Timana will be playing or not.
"We need to train as a team to go through our work with the footy and without the footy, it's very important that we get into that as soon as we can - I don't think it's essential that he's in our training session today or tomorrow but I want him training by Saturday."
Adding to the haste with which the Blues need a decision on Tahu is the fact Barrett's Sharks take on Parramatta on Saturday night, with the veteran playmaker likely to be released for Cronulla's final training run on Friday should he not be needed by NSW.
"It's not fair that we give him until Sunday, Monday and then Timana's okay and then Trent's missed out playing for Cronulla ... we'll make that decision when we've got a decision on Timana," Bellamy said.
"We're probably not going to go any later than Friday, he'll need to train Saturday."
It is believed Bellamy lobbied hard for Barrett to be included in the team when it was announced on Monday night, with the man charged with ending Queensland's four-year dominance keen to rekindle the successful halves partnership from last year's series finale.
Going against Barrett was the fact the Sharks had been hopelessly out of form over the opening ten rounds, though Bellamy said he was impressed with what he saw of him against Penrith last Sunday.
"He's a great competitor Trent ... I thought it was his best game that he's played this season on Sunday," Bellamy said.
"He might be a bit like some of those Queenslanders, when Origin time comes around he finds some form.
"You'd have no problems throwing either of them (Barrett or Finch) in, they're both really experienced and it's good to have him around the camp."
- AAP
Injured NSW centre Timana Tahu has until Friday to prove his fitness. Photo / Getty Images
WOLLONGONG - Four years after his last Origin appearance for NSW, injured centre Timana Tahu has been given just one more day to prove his fitness ahead of next week's series opener against Queensland.
Blues coach Craig Bellamy has given the dual international a Friday deadline as Tahu battles
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