Nicho Hynes's inclusion in the NSW Blues side for State of Origin Game I is uncertain after the Cronulla halfback continues to suffer from a calf issue.
The Dally M medal winner did not play the second half of the Sharks' 42-0 loss to the Penrith Panthers after going off in the 32nd minute for a head injury assessment.
Hynes passed the HIA test, but that time off the field led to his right calf, which he injured earlier in the season, tightening up.
"He's not too bad. Probably with the 15-minute time off [it] cooled down, tightened up," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said during his press conference after the match.
"He's done well to get through last week and was getting through tonight.
"I don't know the severity of it, but it's not like it's completely gone, or anything like that."
Hynes was widely expected to be named the NSW Blues halfback on Sunday when coach Michael Maguire will name his squad for Game I.
While both states have injury woes, NSW already has big names, such as Nathan Cleary and Tom Trbojevic, who are out for the series.
It was expected Hynes would be named the NSW number 7, with Mitchell Moses and Adam Reynolds also unavailable.
With Maguire in the stands at Shark Park, Jarome Luai staked his claim to being chosen in the Blues side with a spectacular performance for the Panthers.
The Penrith playmaker controlled the contest from the opening minutes, guiding Penrith to a massive 42-point win.
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards was also exceptional in the win over the Sharks.
Rumours have swirled that Maguire will select the Penrith number 1 as his Origin fullback, instead of incumbent captain James Tedesco.
Edwards told ABC Sport he would love to be selected for the Blues, but will not be worrying about it on Sunday.
"Just gonna spend the day with my family … Not going to sit by the phone … I'd love the phone to ring, but we'll just have to wait for the announcement," he said.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters comfortably accounted for the Raiders 44-16 in Canberra.
South Sydney achieved their second win of the season, defeating Parramatta 42-26 at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.
Catch up on Saturday's action as it happened on the ABC Sport blog.
Lots of tries and plenty of drama this Saturday.
Big wins for the Roosters, Panthers and Rabbitohs.
Stars made their final pitches for Origin selection, while the fitness of Nicho Hynes will dominate headlines over the next 24 hours.
We will be back tomorrow for the final two matches of round 12.
Goodnight.
This is a lot of specualtion that Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards will be given the NSW number 1 jersey.
He was asked by ABC Sport if he is thinking about possibly becoming an Origin player when the Blues side is named tomorrow.
"Just gonna spend the day with my family … Not going to sit by the phone … I'd love the phone to ring, but we’ll just have to wait for the announcement."
It's just the second win of the year for the Rabbitohs.
Daimen Cook joined Ruan Sims on ABC Sport.
"We've been working really hard for this," he says.
"Our members and our club deserve this."
Latrell Mitchell's State of Origin hopes hang in the hands of the match review committee, after he was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle in South Sydney's 42-26 win over Parramatta.
Mitchell was pulled up for a tackle on Eels centre Sean Russell just before halftime at Olympic Stadium on Saturday night, and ordered from the field on the advice of the bunker.
The Rabbitohs fullback appeared perplexed when told by referee Chris Butler he would be binned.
Mitchell's punishment came as Souths added to the Eels week from hell, with Parramatta slumping to their seventh loss in eight games just five days after coach Brad Arthur's sacking.
The result moves Souths equal with Wests Tigers on the bottom of the ladder with two wins, but behind on for-and-against.
But it is Mitchell who will be grabbing the headlines.
The Souths No.1 has not played for NSW since he was close to their best in 2021's series win. Injuries ruled him out for the next two years.
The 26-year-old looks to be in a battle with Jesse Ramien, Zac Lomax and Matt Burton to be named at left centre.
But his chances now hinge on the Sunday charge sheet — and whether his tackle is deemed worthy of a ban.
Sin bin aside, Mitchell impressed while captaining South Sydney for the first time this year.
The No.1 made an early kick return of close to 25 metres, pulled off a one-on-one strip late and put up a towering bomb for Keaon Koloamatangi to score Souths' last try.
He also provided a cut-out ball for Alex Johnston to score his 190th career try in the first half, leaving the winger level with Billy Slater in second spot on the all-time charts.
At that point, the Rabbitohs were rolling through the Eels with ease, leading 22-0 after 28 minutes with Jai Arrow, Koloamatangi and Dion Teaupa having all scored.
But once the Eels finally got the ball in good positions, the match began to turn.
Dylan Brown was able to go to the line and put Blaize Talagi over on one of their first attacking raids, while Maika Sivo did well to send Sean Russell over next set.
And when Morgan Harper scored out wide with Mitchell still off the field after halftime, suddenly it was 22-16 and the game was back on.
But with Mitchell filling in at five-eighth after Jack Wighton suffered a concussion, Souths were able to do enough in the second half to pull away and win.
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The Eels got one more chance after recovering the short kick-off.
Parramatta are close to the line.
They toss the ball to Maika Sivo who fends three men and scores in the corner.
Great individual effort.
South Sydney will get their second win of the season.
Latrell Mitchell has put a massive bomb up for Parra fullback Blaize Talagi.
This ball has snow on it. Mitchell has sent it into the stratosphere.
Talagi cannot catch it, and it bounces to Keaon Koloamatangi who scores his second try of the night.
Well done South Sydney.
A nicely put-together set.
Latrell Mitchell takes the ball to the Eels defensive line, and then drops it onto the boot for a grubber.
Cook wins the race to the ball.
Souths should be home now, especially with Latrell's conversion.
This is Souths' chance to ice the game.
Parramatta have given up two quick penalties and now must defend a full set on their goal line.
The Eels repel Souths for a full set, but the Rabbitohs' kick has been charged down.
Souths get another set at the Eels' line.
Parramatta have been building over the last five minutes.
After being held out by Souths several times, eventually they found a way over the line.
A few crash plays in the centre were followed by a move to the left.
Maika Sivo gets the ball on the wing and makes his way to the corner.
TRY.
Bryce Cartwright created the try, running to the left, and creating the space for Sivo.
Cartwright also threw a peach of a pass to the big winger.
Souths' lead is eight points, 30-22.
From the hip-drop penalty, Souths have scored.
It was a grubber kick into the in-goal, and Souths prop Sean Keppie was the first to get his hands on it.
Great work from the front-rower.
Parramatta interchange Joe Ofahengaue has just been penalised and put on report for a clear hip-drop tackle.
I thin everyone was expecting Ofahengaue to be sent to the sin-bin. He's not.
Why?
Latrell Mitchell was sin-binned for a hip-drop, and it was no worse than what Ofahengaue has just done.
Latrell is speaking with referee Chris Butler asking why he was sent and not Joe. Good question.
A few strong runs from Souths. They needed this.
The Rabbitohs have a penalty in goal kicking range, and they will take it.
Souths have a 24-16 lead, and Latrelle Mitchell is back from the sin-bin.
It is three consecutive tries for the Parramatta Eels.
They started the second half the second side, with strong defence allowing them to gain great field position.
A contested kick on the Souths goal line is battered down to an Eel, who throws it wide to Morgan Harper on the wing for the try.
22-16 to Souths, and Latrelle Mitchell still has a couple of minutes in the sin-bin.
The major talking point of today's rugby league action is the calf of Nicho Hynes.
After leaving the field for a HIA during the Sharks' loss to Penrith, Hynes never returned to the field.
He was ruled out with a calf complaint, the same one he had injured earlier in the year.
Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said the calf of Hynes started to tighten after he came off the field, so not sending him out for the second half was precautionary.
"He's not too bad. Probably with the 15-minute time off [it] cooled down, tightened up," Fitzgibbon said during his press conference after the match.
"He's done well to get through last week, and was getting through tonight.
"I don't know the severity of it, but it's not like it's completely gone, or anything like that."
With Nathan Cleary out, Hynes has been the presumptive halfback for NSW for State of Origin Game I.
Souths were dominating at 22-0 during that opening half, but the Eels finished strong.
The Eels scored the final two tries, while Souths fullback Latrell Mitchell was sent to the sin-bin for a hip-drop tackle in the 38th minute.
Souths defended their goal line well.
They actually held out the Eels.
But referee Chris Butler has been told by the Bunker that Latrell Mitchell has committed a hip-drop tackle on Sean Russell, earlier in the set.
This match has turned on its head.
Drop ball and penalties from Souths have allowed the Eels to get right back into this game.
Another try before half time will be disappointing.
Sean Russell is over for the Eels.
The Eels score off the very next set after scoring.
Souths were asleep in defence, and the Eels made easy metres.
Then from the right wing Souths spin it to the left.
Maika Sivo is streaking down the left wing for the Eels, and he finds Russell who is over.
A 22-point deficit is now 12. The Eels look like a different side.
The Eels have their first try of the evening. Blaize Talagi scores in the right corner.
Parramatta were gifted field position after Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook knocked-on at dummy half.
Parramatta went to the right, and a nice pass from Dylan Brown to Talagi who goes over, untouched.
Alex Johnston has just drawn level with the great Billy Slater on 190 premiership tries.
And just like he has done so many times before, Johnston dives to the left corner, half of his body is over the touchline, and completes the grounding.
Parramatta cannot generate any attack, and have given up far too many penalties and goal line drop outs.
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