This masthead a week ago revealed that Watson was a genuine chance of making his Blues debut, and he had firmed significantly for a spot in Michael Maguire’s team after another strong performance in his side’s loss to Cronulla on the weekend. Watson was the Roosters’ best against the ladder leaders, making 56 tackles and 96 running metres.

However, the untimely injury – he had only recently returned from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for 558 days – has ruled Watson out of the opening game against the Maroons in Sydney on June 5.

Watson joins an already bulging injury ward of players unavailable for NSW selection including Nathan Cleary, Tom Trbojevic, Bradman Best, Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham and Ryan Papenhuyzen. Jack Wighton will remain in representative retirement, while South Sydney teammate Latrell Mitchell has yet to indicate whether he is available.

Incumbent Blues centre Bradman Best will also miss game one after suffering a hamstring injury in Newcastle’s win over the Titans. He will be out for four weeks. It’s unclear whether another contender, Parramatta halfback Mitchell Moses, will return from a foot injury in time to press his claims.

Cronulla’s Cameron McInnes – like Watson a versatile player capable of playing in the back row or at hooker – is now poised to make his debut for the Blues.

Watson’s injury comes at a time when a video of one of his teammates has gone viral. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing from the player and the NRL is not investigating the clip.

“The Sydney Roosters have been made aware of a small clip from a longer live stream that some on social media have claimed identifies behaviour that breaches NRL rules,” the Roosters said in a statement.

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“The live stream in question was part of a transparent one-hour interaction with one of our players’ followers on the evening before the club’s round 11 match. The players who featured in the stream selected winners for several giveaways of jerseys, boots and caps. The players were fully aware they were being viewed by participants in the live stream.

“The clip reveals no use of illicit substances or any other breach of NRL rules, however some see fit to make that grossly distorted and clearly damaging claim.

“The Sydney Roosters uphold the highest standards of conduct and integrity, both on and off the field. Our players adhere to all NRL policies, including its rigorous drug testing and education programs.

“As a club we remind those on social media that we take the defamatory statements some have made very seriously, and we are conducting a thorough investigation to identify the source(s) of several false accusations. Legal action will be pursued against those found responsible for spreading damaging and unsubstantiated claims.”

Munster to miss entire series

Cameron Munster will miss the entire State of Origin series after being ruled out for up to 10 weeks with a groin injury, but the Storm will delay surgery in the hope the playmaker can return for their title tilt.

Munster left the field in agony during Melbourne’s thumping win over the Eels in Magic Round, with scans on Monday confirming he will miss an extended period with an adductor tendon tear.

Medical staff confirmed the Queensland five-eighth will miss a minimum of eight weeks, and could be out for as long as 10 matches.

Surgery now would rule Munster out for the remainder of the season, but the Storm are holding out hope he will recover and be fit for the finals run-in.

“Cameron had scans earlier today which showed a tear in the adductor tendon,” Melbourne director of football Frank Ponissi said on Monday.

“Our club doctor sought independent medical advice, and we decided to take the conservative approach through treatment and rehabilitation without the need for surgery.

“While it is obviously disappointing for both Cameron and the club to be missing football at this stage of the season, we are confident this approach will give him the best chance of recovery in the long term.”

Queensland coach Billy Slater will choose between North Queensland’s Tom Dearden, Brisbane’s Ezra Mam and the Roosters’ Sam Walker for the vacant five-eighth position alongside captain Daly Cherry-Evans.

Dearden debuted for a COVID-stricken Munster in the Maroons’ game three triumph two years ago.

“This is not new to me,” Slater said. “I know where he [Munster] is at, I know the situation he’s in, I know what he’s been carrying and what he has been dealing with. For me, it was just hard watching him deal with it on Sunday. It’s a tough game.

“I don’t think of it as, ‘This is our 17’ and hope for the best. That’s why you need to take the time each week to watch all Queenslanders, and understand the habits they have in their game. I do that.

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“The one thing I’ve learned the last couple of years is you don’t put time and energy into things you can’t control.”

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy feared the worst when Munster went down against Parramatta, but was hopeful of a better diagnosis after speaking to medicos following the game.

The club had been discussing whether Munster would be sent for surgery even before his Magic Round mishap, with the 29-year-old missing the first month of the NRL season with the debilitating problem.

He later admitted he wouldn’t be 100 per cent at any stage throughout the season.

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