clontaago
First Grader
NSW halfback Peter Wallace has a 4pm deadline to find a specialist willing to clear him to play in next week's decider - throwing the whole Blues selection process up in the air until a decision is reached.
In a bizarre development, Wallace is being forced to find an independent specialist after being cleared to play by the Brisbane Broncos last Friday but failing to be cleared by NSW doctor Hugh Hazard.
Hazard wants specialist approval before signing off Wallace's place in the side. He will not be cleared without it. Further complicating the issue, Wallace's specialist is overseas and unable to examine him, forcing him to find an alternative before the NSW selectors sit down for a preliminary meeting at 4pm.
Almost overlooked in all the confusion is that Wallace trained pain-free at Broncos training on Sunday, getting through all the club's running and kicking drills.
So as confusion reigns, it appears Wallace's fate will have a significant bearing on the Blues line-up beyond just a positional selection.
And not just because five-eighth Greg Bird was ruled out after injuring his knee.
If Wallace is cleared then Kurt Gidley is favoured to line up at five-eighth despite the strong push for Braith Anasta.
Anasta is not without hope, though.
However, if Wallace joins Bird on the sidelines then the Blues will most likely go for an established club pairing.
Heading the choices will be Anasta and Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce, although Manly duo Matt Orford and Jamie Lyon are also a strong chance.
"I keep getting conflicting reports," Bellamy said. "He tells me he is going to be OK but you talk to Hugh Hazard and he tells me he is far from over the line."
The drama began Friday night when Wallace, coach Wayne Bennett and the Brisbane doctor met to discuss his Origin fate and he was cleared to play.
"Then I told him to ring Craig Bellamy and tell him he was OK," Bennett said last night.
"I don't understand what the confusion is about.
"The guy was totally free of pain this morning."
While the Broncos have cleared Wallace, Hazard said he still had concerns about Wallace's recovery.
"He has got to come down to me with a clearance from a specialist saying he is fit to play," Hazard said.
"I want a specialist saying he isn't going to be put at risk and saying that he isn't going to lose a testicle."
In a bizarre development, Wallace is being forced to find an independent specialist after being cleared to play by the Brisbane Broncos last Friday but failing to be cleared by NSW doctor Hugh Hazard.
Hazard wants specialist approval before signing off Wallace's place in the side. He will not be cleared without it. Further complicating the issue, Wallace's specialist is overseas and unable to examine him, forcing him to find an alternative before the NSW selectors sit down for a preliminary meeting at 4pm.
Almost overlooked in all the confusion is that Wallace trained pain-free at Broncos training on Sunday, getting through all the club's running and kicking drills.
So as confusion reigns, it appears Wallace's fate will have a significant bearing on the Blues line-up beyond just a positional selection.
And not just because five-eighth Greg Bird was ruled out after injuring his knee.
If Wallace is cleared then Kurt Gidley is favoured to line up at five-eighth despite the strong push for Braith Anasta.
Anasta is not without hope, though.
However, if Wallace joins Bird on the sidelines then the Blues will most likely go for an established club pairing.
Heading the choices will be Anasta and Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce, although Manly duo Matt Orford and Jamie Lyon are also a strong chance.
"I keep getting conflicting reports," Bellamy said. "He tells me he is going to be OK but you talk to Hugh Hazard and he tells me he is far from over the line."
The drama began Friday night when Wallace, coach Wayne Bennett and the Brisbane doctor met to discuss his Origin fate and he was cleared to play.
"Then I told him to ring Craig Bellamy and tell him he was OK," Bennett said last night.
"I don't understand what the confusion is about.
"The guy was totally free of pain this morning."
While the Broncos have cleared Wallace, Hazard said he still had concerns about Wallace's recovery.
"He has got to come down to me with a clearance from a specialist saying he is fit to play," Hazard said.
"I want a specialist saying he isn't going to be put at risk and saying that he isn't going to lose a testicle."
