Queensland coach Billy Slater is set to spend the next week deliberating on the make-up of his back row after Jai Arrow was ruled out for the remainder of the State of Origin series.
South Sydney forward Arrow is set to miss the next six to eight weeks after undergoing ankle surgery following the Rabbitohs’ win over the Gold Coast.
Arrow joins Dolphins forward Tom Gilbert (shoulder) on the sidelines for Game II of the series at Suncorp Stadium on June 21.
Arrow would have been the most likely candidate to replace Gilbert, and his versatility as a prop or edge forward has been invaluable to the Maroons and the Rabbitohs.
The injury means Slater will be searching for a replacement in his starting side and bench.
While Queensland are blessed with strong middle forward depth – Corey Horsburgh, Christian Welch and J’Maine Hopgood couldn’t make it into Slater’s 17 for last week’s win over NSW – they don’t enjoy such depth on the edges.
Dolphins veteran Felise Kaufusi is suspended and won’t play prior to next Monday’s team announcement, while Gold Coast forward Beau Fermor is out for the season.
This leaves Slater with a choice between Brisbane’s Kurt Capewell, who missed the squad for Origin I, and the Cowboys duo of Jeremiah Nanai and Heilum Luki.