NSW lock Tyson Frizell will likely spend the first week of State of Origin camp under the close supervision of Blues medical staff after scans revealed a fresh rib cartilage injury.
Frizell was included in an unchanged NSW line up for next Wednesday's decider on Monday, along with captain Boyd Cordner - who will give himself until Sunday to overcome a calf injury and train with the team.
Fullback James Tedesco is also tipped to beat a lateral ligament tear in his ankle, while centre Josh Dugan's corked thigh could limit his training early but won't affect his ability to play.
But it's Frizell's injury that most threatens to stand between NSW and the first unchanged 17 for an entire series since they whitewashed Queensland in 1996.
After he required a pain-killing injection to play Game II, and then suffered back-to-back ankle and back blows while playing for St George Illawarra, the club passed on his worrying medical report on Monday and warned the Blues his ability to train would be impacted.
The 25-year-old played Game II without participating in contact training throughout the camp, and a similar effort could be required as Laurie Daley's coaching staff plan to give him every opportunity to play.
"There's some concern there but we thought we would give the guys an opportunity to prove their fitness," Daley said of the injuries at the announcement.
"We started with this team, we want to finish with this team."
Back-rower Jack de Belin has been named as 18th man as cover for Frizell and Cordner, after he beat his own calf complaint.
Meanwhile Cordner is confident of turning out for the Blues, as they attempt to claim their second series win in 12 years, and first success in a decider at Suncorp Stadium since 2005.
"There's a lot of time from now until game day," he said.
"I would like to be able to get the last big training session out of the way, and that's on Sunday.
"I've had two light running sessions on a machine which takes your body weight away.
"They've been pretty good. I had my first run on Saturday and then again this morning and it was a pretty good improvement from Saturday."
NSW arrived in camp at Kingscliff on Monday evening, and will have their first training session on Wednesday.
NSW: James Tedesco, Brett Morris, Josh Dugan, Jarryd Hayne, Blake Ferguson, James Maloney, Mitchell Pearce, Aaron Woods, Nathan Peats, Andrew Fifita, Boyd Cordner (capt), Josh Jackson, Tyson Frizell. Bench: David Klemmer, Wade Graham, Jake Trbojevic, Jack Bird. 18th: Jack de Belin.
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