NSW stalwart Isaah Yeo says he’s “gutted” Penrith teammate Dylan Edwards gained’t get the possibility to make his State of Origin debut however he’s nonetheless “fronting up” in a bid to maintain the daring new vitality buzzing in a Blues outfit which welcomes again former captain James Tedesco.
Edwards picked up a quad harm whereas doing extras at coaching, making ready for his first crack at fullback for the Blues on the again of 4 years of membership dominance which couldn’t be ignored for any longer.
Regardless of lacking his debut, it’s hoped he’ll return in time to make himself out there for sport two on June 26 in Melbourne and the last-gasp harm left Penrith teammate Yeo feeling for his mate.
“I felt prefer it was a very long time coming for him after which he lastly received his alternative after which he will get (damage),” Yeo stated.
“Even the way in which he did it, he did it doing a little extras attempting to do the suitable factor on the finish of coaching. I’m gutted for him and the chance he had, however on the identical time, it’s not typically you get to carry an individual with the calibre of ‘Ted’ into it.”
Edwards is without doubt one of the most humble gamers within the NRL who retains the whole lot near his chest, however even Yeo might inform his shut mate was devastated to overlook out.
However Edwards did the staff factor and put his hand up instantly when he knew one thing was fallacious, reasonably than attempt to cover it and play by the ache which might have backfired in the course of the sport given the Blues don’t at present have an outdoor again on the bench.
“He was as gutted as he will be on this surroundings,” Yeo stated.
“It’s all achieved now and we’ve to maneuver on, however he’s nonetheless in camp which is a credit score to Madge (NSW coach Michael Maguire) and to Dyl as an individual as a result of it most likely would’ve been simple to go and conceal away at dwelling for a number of days.
“He’s nonetheless fronting up and doing his bit for the staff, and that’s the sort of particular person he’s and the surroundings that we’re attempting to construct right here.
“You don’t wish to go into (the sport) with a niggle after which have to drag you off after 5 or 10 minutes.
“He did the suitable factor by flagging it to see what was fallacious, however the scan didn’t come again crash sizzling. I’m dissatisfied for him, however that is one thing he might have withheld, however then you definitely wouldn’t know what would occur in the course of the sport.”
Dropping a key backbone participant simply days out from the sequence opener would normally throw a marketing campaign into disarray, but it surely helps enormously once you’re in a position to flip to a person who has been there for the earlier 22 Origins.
Yeo dismissed any strategies of animosity given Tedesco had been dropped for Wednesday’s sport, with the previous Blues skipper offering stability and management to a facet seeking to finish Queensland’s two years of dominance.
“It’s not too typically that you just get somebody like Ted who will play his twenty third sport on the bounce,” he stated.
“He’s captained his state and had success with NSW, so it’s a seamless transition in that he’s performed with numerous the boys earlier than so the methods are all fairly comparable.
“We’re very fortunate in that regard that for one thing like that to occur so late, we’re ready to herald somebody along with his calibre and it’s occurred so seamlessly.”
