In a sign that will do little to downplay concerns over his fitness, NSW halfback Nicho Hynes failed to train in the Blues’ maiden session under Michael Maguire.
Wearing running shoes, Hynes, who is managing a calf issue, was a keen observer of the side’s first hit-out at the Blue Mountains Grammar School.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Nathan Cleary shows up at troubled NSW training session.
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The Cronulla No.7, who will partner Jarome Luai in the halves against Queensland in next week’s series opener in Sydney, stood with coaching staff as the Blues warmed up on Wednesday.
Media were asked to vacate Wednesday morning’s session after 15 minutes but given Hynes did not warm up, it is unlikely he would be put through his paces.
Hynes has insisted he will be ready to face the Maroons next week, and he is not Maguire’s only injury concern.
Penrith second-rower Liam Martin was put through a specialised warm-up as he deals with a hamstring issue.
Nathan Cleary, who will miss the series with a hamstring injury of his own, was an observer of Wednesday’s session.
Elsewhere in camp, Haumole Olakau’atu has confessed he grew up a Queensland fan.
“If I’m going to be honest, I was growing up going for the Maroons,” Olakau’atu admitted on his first full day.
“I didn’t know footy at the time when I was young. I did play footy, but I didn’t know that it was such a big thing.
“My old man was a Maroons supporter as well, so I knew nothing but Maroons every time Origin came up.”
It’s why the Guilford junior grew up loving the likes of Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston, as NSW won only one series between his seventh and 19th birthdays.
And also the reason behind Olakau’atu’s social media post after Game I in 2022, when he wrote “Been a Maroons since day dot” on Instagram.
“I don’t know what I was thinking,” Olakau’atu said on Tuesday.
“I was stupid. I was childish. I hope all the NSW fans can forgive me.”
Now, though, the powerful Manly back-rower is adamant he is a true Blue.
“I started to realise over the years when I was playing, I live here in NSW,” Olakau’atu said.
“So I deserve to be a Blues supporter. Since playing in first grade I’ve realised I’m Blues through and through.”
Olakau’atu’s emotion about being picked for his NSW debut is clear.
He was left speechless when called by coach Michael Maguire on Sunday, and his father Ola was in tears beside him.