NSW hooker Robbie Farah is preparing to lend Michael Ennis every helping hand in the quest for State of Origin glory, with the Cronulla rake joining the Blues' camp on Thursday in Coffs Harbour.
Farah said he was surprised at the speed of the recovery of his fractured right hand after surgery on Tuesday, but he remained a 50/50 proposition to play in next week's Origin decider in Brisbane.
After being hit with a one-match suspension at the NRL judiciary in Sydney on Wednesday, Ennis flew to Coffs Harbour on Thursday morning as back-up for Farah and, soon after, took part in his first Blues training session since 2011.
Farah and Ennis have had their differences in the past but the Wests Tigers' skipper said that was all behind them.
"We are one big family, NSW, and we are all here trying to get the result on Wednesday night. That is what it all comes down to and that is what we all want," Farah said on Thursday.
"Mick needs to learn about the way we play and the calls and the structure and I'm there to help him as much as he needs to feel as comfortable as he can.
"If I'm not there, he needs to be able to go out there and do the role the team needs him to do and I'll be the first one to help him.
"Before training, I ran through some of the things we do in this team, the calls and the simple things. That's to be expected."
Farah is sporting a bandage on his injured hand to ward against infection. It will be a near-miracle recovery if he is to take his place in the Blues' side at Suncorp Stadium. But he remains optimistic.
"I am a chance and, if I didn't think I was a chance, I wouldn't be up here," Farah said.
"I wanted to get up here as quick as I could, which was why I went straight to the airport from hospital yesterday. I would not have gone to those lengths if I didn't think I could play.
"I'm actually not in a lot of pain which is surprising, I haven't had to have too many painkillers, I can grip already, I can shake hands and hold a footy. I am a lot better than I thought I would be.
"But that is nothing compared to what is expected of me - I would have to prepare a lot more."
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