June 13, 2026 — 11:27amMark Nawaqanitawase is set to make his Origin debut in game two at the MCG next week after NSW centre Casey McLean was ruled out after suffering an injury at training on Saturday morning.McLean warmed up with the team in Gosford on Saturday morning before going down with a quadriceps strain about 15 minutes into the session.Mark Nawaqanitawase is poised to start for NSW on Wednesday.Steven SiewertPhysios and trainers worked with McLean on the field as the rest of the squad trained, but the 20-year-old was officially ruled out an hour later.The loss of McLean is a huge blow for NSW, after the Penrith centre played an important role in the Blues’ second-half comeback in game one after coming on as a replacement for a concussed Tolu Koula.McLean was also recovering from an ankle injury suffered in the Panthers’ win over the Tigers on June 7, but was tracking and training well.NSW manager Frank Ponissi said medicos thought McLean’s injury would sideline him for seven to 10 days.Casey McLean has been ruled out of Origin II.Getty Images“Unfortunately, Casey McLean has been ruled out of State of Origin game two. This morning during training early in the session, he strained a thigh to his right leg, which is the opposite side to his ankle,” Ponissi said.“Our medical staff believes the ankle was fine, but obviously, he needed to train this morning to get through, so this has come totally as a shock and unexpected. He’s obviously very disappointed ... Our medical staff believe it’s a seven-10 day injury in terms of return to play, which obviously rules him out of Wednesday night’s game at the MCG.”Nawaqanitawase now has his opportunity to make his impact in the Origin arena, with the former Wallaby set to be named as McLean’s official replacement.The 25-year-old has played on the wing in every game he’s started for the Roosters this year and has limited experience at centre.NSW are due to travel to Melbourne on Saturday afternoon ahead of game two of the series on Wednesday night.More to comeBillie Eder is a sports reporter at The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners