The NRL will wait to analyse COVID-19 infection rates closer to the finals before deciding whether the competition heavyweights will be under stricter testing regimes, as the Blues tightened their own protocols after Cameron Munster’s State of Origin withdrawal.
But the Blues, already rocked by Nicho Hynes’ positive COVID-19 test only two days after he spent two hours with his NSW teammates in Sydney on Monday, are taking every precaution with players, who were asked not to sign autographs or pose for photos with fans after training at Kingscliff on Saturday.
Cowboys halfback Chad Townsend, called into the NSW squad as cover for Nathan Cleary after Hynes’ positive test, said 21-year-old clubmate Dearden wouldn’t be overawed by the experience of playing his first Origin game in a decider.