Gallen and Stewart miss training

Influential pairing Paul Gallen and Brett Stewart both sat out training as New South Wales stepped up their preparation for State of Origin Game 2.

Gallen, 30, has a knee problem but is not worrying. He said to a Sydney radio station: “It’s definitely better than it felt in game one.

“At one stage, I thought I was in danger of missing that game but I played 80 minutes with no dramas.”

Full-back Stewart, who was been in superb form for his club side Manly Sea Eagles, has a long-standing knee problem. His training schedule has to be modified to ensure his match-fitness.

Captain Gallen will train on Friday and both should be fit to take their places in the starting line-up next Wednesday.

Stewart’s Manly teammate Anthony Watmough trained with the Blues for the first time since joining up with the squad on Monday.