Walker in Doubt for NSW Ahead of State of Origin Game 2

NSW could be without Cody Walker ahead of State of Origin Game 2 after he injured his quad during training with the Rabbitohs.

The availability of Walker will impact State of Origin predictions if the 33-year-old is unable to suit up for the Blues, with NSW already needing to create history if they are to overcome Queensland in 2023.

After losing Game 1 in Adelaide, where Stats Insider's State of Origin tips favoured NSW, the Blues will be relying on Walker to make an impact at Suncorp Stadium.

Speaking to the media after the club's captain's run on Friday, coach Jason Demetriou confirmed Walker would miss the Round 15 game against the Dragons but wouldn't rule him out of Origin if called upon by NSW coach Brad Fittler.

"We're working hard, and he's every chance of being available," Demetriou said.

"It's an injury that's really short-term; it only happened a couple of days before the game, so we're not in a position to risk him, but Origin's not for nearly two weeks, so he's every chance of being available."

Cody Walker out for this week with the minor quad injury suffered at training (via @Bunniestvau). Bye next week for Souths so unlikely he misses any more games for them (should be fit for Rd17), but definitely puts a huge question mark over any potential Origin selection

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) June 8, 2023

Another player in doubt for the Blues is Latrell Mitchell, who was a late withdrawal from State of Origin 2023 Game 1. 

Demetriou said Mitchell was on the road to recovery and could be back running by the end of the weekend.

"He's in a good place; physios are working overtime with him as well to give him every chance to be available, but he'll know late this weekend or early next week whether he's good to go or not if he can run," he said.

"It's one of those injuries where every couple of days makes a big difference when you've got a low grade, so we'll see how he responds."

The coach said that "Cam Murray's the same before you ask me about him," adding that the Rabbitohs were "creaking" as a result of being one of the few sides in the competition that had yet to have a bye.

"We're 15 weeks in; we're one of the few teams who haven't had a bye yet, and the boys are creaking a little bit."

According to Stats Insider's QLD vs NSW Game 2 prediction, NSW is the underdog against the Maroons in State of Origin 2023 Game 2.

(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)