Josh Morris

Sharks block Josh Morris' request

Josh Morris, 33, was reported to have requested a move to the Roosters to play alongside his brother Brett.

Sharks coach John Morris confirmed the veteran was considering his options, but ruled out a move for the New South Wales representative.

"There was an enquiry there around Josh's side and I think our fans and members deserve the full truth," he told the NRL website.

Morris out of Origin, Jack Bird onto bench

Dylan Walker will start in the centres, with Cronulla's Jack Bird to make his Blues debut off the bench.

Morris suffered a groin injury in a training run on Thursday, underwent intense rehabilitation on the team's day off on Friday before looking to prove his fitness on Saturday.

"It was my call. It's about putting the team first," Morris said on Saturday.

"I don't want to go in there and give a poor performance in a Blues jersey because of an injury.

Morris boosted by full week for Origin II

Morris was perhaps surprisingly dropped  ahead of Game One but was still called into camp as a shadow player for Josh Dugan, who was under an injury cloud due to his elbow – an injury which eventually forced his late withdrawal after flaring up at training.

Morris said a smoother preparation this time around will be a big boost.

Josh Morris to replace Dugan for NSW

Morris has been released by Canterbury after earlier being named to play in the Bulldogs' NRL clash with Canberra on Sunday afternoon.

NSW coach Laurie Daley confirmed Morris would return to take over at right centre shortly after the Blues announced the withdrawal of Dugan, who experienced further problems with the elbow he hyper-extended in St George Illawarra's loss to South Sydney in round 10.

"It's one of the hardest decisions I've had to make," said Dugan.