Barrett out of Origin contention
May 13, 2004
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA skipper Trent Barrett has been ruled out of Saturday's NRL game against the Bulldogs, ending his hopes of playing in the opening State of Origin game.
Barrett was named in a 30-man preliminary NSW squad on Monday despite missing the past three games with a hamstring injury.
However, he needed to play this weekend to prove his fitness ahead of Origin I at Telstra Stadium on May 26.
Melbourne's Scott Hill is now likely to wear the No.6 jersey for the Blues in the opening Origin game, strengthening Brett Kimmorley's claims to play halfback.
The pair, former teammates at Melbourne, rekindled their partnership in Friday night's City-Country game at Gosford Stadium.
Hill was named man of the match and Kimmorley impressed as Country won 22-18.
Barrett will be joined on the sidelined for Saturday's match by experienced forwards Lance Thompson (shoulder) and Nathan Long (knee) and halfback Mathew Head (rib).
Thompson was also named in the preliminary NSW squad on Monday but will miss his final chance to impress Blues selectors before Origin I.
Coach Nathan Brown named a six-man bench and will add another player from Premier League.
Shaun Timmins is likely to play five-eighth in Barrett's absence