Josh Addo-Carr’s aspirations for a New South Wales recall later in the State of Origin series have been dashed by a hamstring injury expected to keep him sidelined until August.
Canterbury football chief Phil Gould confirmed on Saturday morning that the 15-time Blues winger, omitted from next week’s Origin I, would be out for approximately eight to ten weeks following his departure during Friday’s victory against Newcastle.
Addo-Carr was substituted out of the Bulldogs’ 32-2 triumph shortly after halftime, with subsequent scans on Saturday revealing a high-grade hamstring tear.
This setback follows NSW coach Michael Maguire’s preference for St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax and Penrith’s Brian To’o over Addo-Carr as wingers for the series opener on June 5.
Addo-Carr had bolstered his case for a recall by scoring two tries in the Newcastle victory, his first game since being overlooked by Maguire.
However, with the series’ final match scheduled for July 17 – just over six weeks away – Addo-Carr will be absent from the Blues’ lineup in 2024.
The absence of the dynamic winger is also a setback for the improving Bulldogs, who are aiming for their first finals appearance since 2016.
“He’s currently one of our top players and a leader in our team,” remarked Bulldogs captain and NSW centre Stephen Crichton.
Meanwhile, Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti faces a $3000 fine for headbutting Reed Mahoney late in Friday night’s game. Though charged with grade-one striking, Saifiti will only serve a suspension if he fails to successfully challenge the charge at the judiciary.
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