By Wayne Heming

Maroon rugby league great Darren Lockyer is not concerned by an unusual early season spate of injuries that will force selectors to make changes for the first State of Origin game in Sydney on June 5.

Coach Billy Slater will be shooting for an Origin hat-trick after series’ wins in 2022-23 in his first two years at the helm of Maroons.

Speaking to FOGS this week, Lockyer said while season-ending injuries to powerhouse forwards Tino Faasuamaleaui and Tom Gilbert, were not ideal, there was still plenty of time for Jai Arrow, Reece Walsh, Cameron Munster, Lindsay Collina, and David Fifita to overcome injuries currently sidelining them from the game.

Lockyer played 36 games for Queensland and was heavily involved in the magical eight-straight streak between 2006-2013.

“For many year’s Queensland didn’t have the same player pool or depth as New South Wales but we are a lot better than we used to,” Lockyer said.

“It’s not ideal, but injuries are a part of the game and you have to adapt.

“There is still a long way to go and with someone like Munster with his groin, you have to give them plenty of time.

“So far luck hasn’t been on our side but that doesn’t mean others can’t step up and grab an opportunity to launch an Origin career.

“We’re not overly concerned, we know we’ve got no Gilbert and we’ve got no Tino, so we just get on with it.

“You just need a few of those fringe players to step up.”

Lockyer said newly appointed Blues coach Michael Macguire would bring professionalism and attention to detail to NSW this year.

“He has won a premiership and coached the Kiwis to an upset against Australia last year, so he knows what big games are about.

“He is renowned for his detail to a game, particularly defensively and he will put a team on the field that is very well prepared.

“The occasion won’t worry him and as usual NSW will be favourites, as they always are.”

Lockyer said Slater would not get caught up in any coaching hype leading into the game.

“This is Billy’s third year and he’s been successful his first two years.

“I don’t think he will change too much.”

Slater said his first concern was always with the player and his welfare.

Speaking on his regular Podcast for Wild World Of Sports this week Slater stressed the player’s welfare always came first.

“Tino isn’t the first Queensland player who has had a season-ending injury early in the year,” he said.

“We’ve had Tom Gilbert go down and Jai Arrow is nursing a shoulder injury that is keeping him out indefinitely.

“Tino has been an integral part of Queensland’s Origin season but having said that, with injury comes opportunity.

“Queensland will be fine. For me, my concern is always with the player going through injury rehab, making sure gets the support he needs. I’ve been there, I know how excluded you can feel, but I am sure the Gold Coast Titans will make sure he is very well supported through his recovery period.