Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues prop Daniel Saifiti has become the latest player to be ruled out of Game Three of the Ampol State of Origin series through injury with Dale Finucane taking his place in the team.
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler confirmed Saifiti was out with a rib cartilage injury suffered in Newcastle Knights’ win over North Queensland Cowboys on Saturday night during a Zoom call to discuss his team selections today.
Fittler had to take a break during the call to speak to team doctor Nathan Gibbs who was ringing to advise him that Saifiti would not be fit to play. He becomes the latest player ruled out through injury with Nathan Cleary (shoulder) and Jarome Luai (knee) also unavailable.
Saifiti has been a powerhouse for the Blues in the opening two games, after running for 142 metres and scoring a try in Game One in Townsville and backing that up by running for 128 metres in Game Two in Brisbane.
Finucane was named on an extended bench for Game Two and has represented the Blues for the past two years. NSW has already reclaimed the Shield and can become the first NSW team since 2000 to win a series 3-0 if they claim Game Three at a venue yet to be determined.
