Saifiti to make Origin debut after hamstring injury sidelines McLean

Newcastle forward Jacob Saifiti will officially make his State of Origin debut in Wednesday's decider after a hamstring injury injury to Cowboys prop Jordan McLean officially ruled him out on Thursday afternoon.

McLean was in line to start for the Blues after a receiving a call up from coach Brad Fittler for Origin III, following a strong year for the North Queensland Cowboys in which the 30-year-old has averaged 116 metres per game. 

“My career has been full of ups and downs,” McLean said in a statement on Thursday.

“I’ve kind of gotten used to it but I thought there might be a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.

“The hardest thing will be telling my family. I was looking forward to the opportunity but it wasn’t to be.”

The loss of McLean follows the withdrawal of Cronulla half Nicho Hynes from the New South Wales squad after a positive COVID test result. 

Knights forward Saifiti will now make his Origin debut in place of McLean, following on from his twin brother Daniel, who earned seven caps for the Blues between 2019-2021.

"Obviously they see something in me that I don't, they've showed faith in me which means a lot," Saifiti told NRL.com after being called into camp for Origin I.

"I'm just grateful to be a part of camp. I think [it's] going off last year maybe, I was really happy with how I went — my best year so far easily.

"He [brother Daniel] said it goes quickly so to just soak it up and be in the moment. I've obviously watched his Origin games before but never envisioned I'd be doing the same. Not that I don't back myself; I just never thought the day would come."