Saifiti dropped from Blues as scans clear McLean; Maroons recall Walsh for Origin II

Jacob Saifiti has been dropped by the Blues for Origin II to accommodate the return of Brisbane prop Payne Haas.

But Saifiti’s Newcastle teammate Dylan Lucas is expected to come on to the extended bench after being named 20th man for game one.

NSW earlier on Monday received a boost when scans cleared Penrith centre Casey McLean of serious injury. McLean failed to finish Sunday’s 68-0 hammering of the Wests Tigers after hurting his ankle, and underwent precautionary scans late on Sunday.

The 20-year-old said after the game: “I’m pretty confident I’ll be fine. It was just a scare – I jumped up, it got caught up and I landed a bit funny. If it was a do-or-die match, I would have taken the field again. All the physios are happy with the testing.”

Sources with knowledge of the situation not authorised to speak publicly confirmed McLean had suffered a minor impingement, with slight inflammation at the front of his ankle.

He is expected to take part in the Blues’ first full training session in camp on Thursday.

The Blues players for Origin II will be named later today and are due to arrive at Sydney Olympic Park before returning to their Central Coast base on Tuesday.

Mitchell Moses will undergo a fitness test on his hamstring on Monday afternoon before the King’s Birthday clash against Canterbury, in the hope of getting the green light from Parramatta to return to the Blues side.

Meanwhile, Queensland have recalled Broncos fullback Reece Walsh on to the extended bench. Cowboys back-rower Heilum Luki has also been named, while Walsh’s Brisbane teammate Ezra Mam drops out.

More to come