He filled Stephen Crichtonโs shoes in the centres for Penrith, but NSW is hopeful Casey McLean wonโt have to do the same for the Blues in State of Origin I after the Canterbury captain sat out the first major training session of the campaign.
The Blues held an open practice on Wednesday in front of thousands of locals at Morry Breen Oval on the Central Coast, although Crichton didnโt participate in any of the major drills. Crichton has been hampered by a grade-five AC joint injury that will require pain-killing needles before facing the Maroons, but said earlier this week he expected to participate in all sessions.
However, the Blues have taken a cautious approach with the star centre, who watched on as his teammates were put through their paces. The NSW hierarchy is confident Crichton will take his place against the Maroons for Origin I at Accor Stadium, although McLean stepped into his place on Wednesday.
McLean, named on a six-man bench, expected Crichton to play but said he was ready to fill the void if required.
โYeah, 100 per cent,โ McLean said. โLoz [coach Laurie Daley] already told me, โJust train like youโre playingโ.
โIโm grateful to be part of this, Iโll still train like normal. Thereโs heaps of boys I know here and then connect up with other boys.โ
Asked if McLean was up to replacing Crichton, if required, Panthers teammate Isaah Yeo said: โIโll be very surprised if Critter is in any doubt at all, but Caseyโs here because Laurie trusts him that if he was having to play then, heโd do a wonderful job for his state.
โCritter will be fine, but at the same time, Caseyโs here because Laurie trusts him. He trusts him because of what heโs seen on the field and what Casey has produced, that has earned him an opportunity.โ
McLean is the beneficiary of new Origin rules that have been introduced on and off the field. A change in the eligibility laws allows him to represent NSW after playing for the Kiwis, while he will be one of the first players to be added to a six-man bench at interstate level.
โYeah, just stoked and he absolutely earned it with his performances,โ Yeo said of McLean.
โHe was talking about it the other day, I think heโs born in 2006, but you quickly forget how little footy heโs actually played and what heโs been able to do in that short space of time.
โHeโs been outstanding for us this year and for the week just gone at Magic Round he was outstanding again. Iโm stoked for him.โ
When unveiling his team, Daley accidentally introduced โCasey McLeanโ as โCasey McGuireโ โ a former Maroons player โ instead. The moment has done the rounds on social media and McLean can see the lighter side of it.
โItโs funny. Daley apologised, but itโs a funny story,โ McLean said.
โI did not [know who McGuire was]. Obviously a few things came out and I had to give him a little research. Heโs got more [premiership] rings than me.โ
