Canberra Raiders rising star Ethan Strange is in a race against time to recover from an ankle injury and be available for the State of Origin decider against Queensland on Wednesday night. The 20-year-old rolled his ankle during a New South Wales Blues training session, casting doubt on his availability for the series finale at Lang Park.
Critical 48-hour monitoring period
The injury is not believed to be serious, but Strange will be closely monitored over the next two days to determine whether he can take his place on the bench. A decision on whether a replacement needs to be called into the Blues camp is expected within the coming days. If ruled out, Strange would return to Canberra to continue treatment, with the Raiders' next NRL match against the Canterbury Bulldogs at Sydney Olympic Park scheduled for Saturday week.
It is understood that Strange aggravated the same ankle he injured during the Raiders' round-eight clash with the Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval. That earlier injury forced him to miss the team's trip to the Gold Coast to face the Titans.
Cover options for Raiders
The Raiders have Daine Laurie as cover for Strange if required. Laurie is set to return from a one-game suspension for cocaine possession during the off-season, and his availability provides Canberra with a contingency plan should Strange be sidelined.
Strange's Origin impact
Strange made a significant impression in the series opener, scoring a try and earning a place among NSW's top three performers. However, Blues coach Laurie Daley opted not to start him in the halves alongside Nathan Cleary for games two and three, despite Mitchell Moses struggling with a hamstring injury and form concerns. Moses injured his hamstring during Origin camp before game one, and Strange stepped up to replace him at short notice, playing a key role in the Blues' comeback victory.
Both Strange and Raiders teammate Hudson Young were standout performers in that opening win. Despite Moses not having played any NRL games between Origins, Daley reinstated him for game two at the MCG. Moses struggled in the loss and continued to underperform for Parramatta in the following round, yet Daley stuck with the Eels halfback, keeping Strange on the bench.
What's at stake
The Origin decider carries immense pressure for both teams, and Strange's potential absence could force a late reshuffle. The Blues will be eager to have his energy and attacking spark available, while the Raiders will be monitoring the situation closely as they prepare for their own campaign.
