Cordner ruled out of State of Origin series
Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has ruled out Boyd Cordner from this year’s Ampol State of Origin series following a heart-to-heart talk with his former captain.
Cordner, 28, is not scheduled to return to the field for the Sydney Roosters until Round 14-16 with the club electing to take a cautious approach with their skipper after a history of head knocks.
The tough-as-teak backrower has not played since ruling himself out of last year’s Origin series following a heavy head knock in Game One.
“I spoke to Boyd, we won’t consider Boyd for this year,” Fittler said, during a break from helping coach positional training for the Country and City junior pathways teams.
“He’s looking at Round 14-16, I’m not really sure, but I just want him to get back on the field.”
Cordner’s absence leaves a void in the team with the backrower being a staple of NSW teams since 2013, managing 16 games and being part of the series-winning teams in 2014 as well as captaining back-to-back series wins in 2018-19.
His Roosters team-mate Angus Crichton has been in good touch for the Tricolours this year while Newcastle backrower Tyson Frizell has played 14 games for the Blues since 2014.
True Blue Andrew Johns recently said that he would play Cameron Murray on an edge but the South Sydney lock is sidelined with an ankle injury which could keep him out of the opening game.
“There was an indication Cam would be back in round 13 initially, but you never know with that sort of stuff,” Fittler said.
“There’s a few back-rowers down, that’s where we're a bit short at the moment. We’re hoping they come back, but there’s some back-rowers out there who can play themselves into a spot.”