Dylan Napa Confident He'll Be Fit For Origin II

Problems with his ankle


Article heading image for Dylan Napa Confident He'll Be Fit For Origin II

Prop Dylan Napa is confident of overcoming an ankle injury but admits he faces a conundrum before Queensland's must-win State of Origin game two in Sydney on Sunday.

Melbourne's Tim Glasby is on standby for Napa who must pass a fitness test at the Maroons' opposed training session at their Gold Coast camp on Wednesday to play Origin II.

Napa desperately wants to play as the Maroons look to stay alive in the series but admits he may have to make way for Glasby for the team's benefit.

"(Coach Kevin Walters) Kevvie has given me every opportunity to be fit tomorrow and I am really hopeful of playing but if it is the best thing for the team that I don't play I will do that for the team," said Napa.

"I think I will play. It would be pretty tough to say no to an Origin match in Sydney but I have to put the team first, but if I am not fit to play I am not fit to play.

"The last thing I want to do is say it is good and then I break down and let the team and state down.

"But tomorrow will be the big test."

Napa said he had aggravated an ankle ligament injury from last year when he limped off in the Sydney Roosters' NRL win over Penrith last weekend.

However, he said the ankle had improved dramatically in the last 24 hours and was hoping for similar improvement in their limited build-up to Sunday's Origin II.

Napa has had limited sleep since arriving on the Gold Coast camp with around the clock icing, physio and compression on the troublesome ankle.

Queensland's other injury concern Billy Slater (hamstring) must also pass a test on Wednesday but has all but been cleared to play by Walters after missing game one.

Walters has given an early injury deadline after a nightmare lead-up to game one which they lost 22-12 in Melbourne.

Halfback Ben Hunt, winger Dane Gagai and lock Josh McGuire all had to pass fitness tests while Slater pulled out of the series opener just days ahead of kick-off.

"I have been given every opportunity to be fit tomorrow and I am really hopeful of playing but if it is the best thing for the team that I don't play I will do that for the team," Napa said.

19 June 2018




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