NSW Blues star put broken arm ‘back in place himself’, out of Origin II

Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey has been ruled out of game two of the State of Origin series with a broken arm that he attempted to put back into place himself, bringing Wests Tigers veteran Api Koroisau into the frame for a NSW recall after three years.

The 27-year-old Cronulla co-captain will have surgery early next week after sustaining the injury 48 hours after making his NSW debut in the Blues’ extraordinary come-from-behind triumph over Queensland in game one at Accor Stadium.

In a stunning demonstration of toughness and courage, Brailey manipulated the broken bone back into position himself after coming from the field during Cronulla’s 28-22 win over Manly on Friday night.

Koroisau, who will make his return from a three-game suspension for the Tigers against Canterbury at CommBank Stadium on Saturday, is the leading contender to replace Brailey on the NSW bench.

Another who may come into consideration is Sydney Roosters utility Connor Watson, who featured in all three matches of last year’s interstate series and the last two in 2024, and lines up against Melbourne Storm later on Saturday night.

Brailey was dynamic in his 31 minutes off the bench for the Blues, who stormed back from 20-6 down against a 12-man Queensland after the 57th minute dismissal of Kalyn Ponga.

His absence for game two is a setback for Daley, who is likely to turn to the experienced Koroisau to fill the breach. The 33-year-old has not played since being banned for a hip-drop tackle on Canberra’s Noah Martin last month but has two games, against the Bulldogs and former team Penrith, to show Daley he is ready.

Koroisau made the last of his four appearances for the Blues in 2023.

Brailey’s injury occurred while he was making a tackle on Manly winger Jason Saab.

“One of the physios said as he walked off, he put the break back in place himself without flinching at all,” fellow Sharks co-captain Cameron McInnes said.

“It’s a painful injury, so he’s a tough man and we’re lucky to have him. But I’m shattered for him.”

Brailey had wanted to resume playing at Ocean Protect Stadium after coming off at the hour mark, his club and NSW teammate Addin Fonua-Blake said.

“You can’t describe how tough he is,” said the front-rower, who made his State of Origin debut alongside Brailey on Wednesday.

“He wanted to go back on and he wanted to continue. I think the coach was saving him from himself, going back out there.”

Brailey has been a constant feature of the Cronulla side for the past six seasons, missing one game in that period, against Canterbury at Magic Round this month after sustaining a head knock.

“The way he carries himself, he’s such an ultimate professional and to hurt himself like, I’m shattered for him,” Fonua-Blake said.

“But I know he will do everything to get himself back right and help us at the back end [of the season].”

Cronulla coach Craig Fitzgibbon said Brailey was dejected but had been eager to back up for his club after the Origin thriller.

“Five minutes after Wednesday night he texted me to say ‘I’m sweet, I want to play’. That’s the sort of guy he is. He loves the club and he wanted to play for this bloke,” said Fitzgibbon, referring to McInnes, who was played his 100th match for Cronulla on Friday night.

McInnes, who is headed to England after this season, described Brailey as “the toughest player I’ve played with, for his size but just for everything”.

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.