The injury is a huge blow for the Blues, who will also be without South Sydney captain Cameron Murray for their campaign. Trbojevic was a contender for the NSW custodian role alongside James Tedesco and Dylan Edwards, and also under consideration for a centre spot alongside Stephen Crichton.

Teammate Jason Saab, an outside chance of figuring for the Blues, will also get scans on his injured knee, but is likely to miss a month of football.

Reuben Garrick has previously filled in admirably when Trbojevic is unavailable, but the Sea Eagles are poised to hand the fullback jersey to speedster Tolutau Koula for the Magic Round clash with Brisbane next Friday.

Koula has played much of his junior football at No.1 and the Sea Eagles believe he can be an X-factor at the back.

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Trbojevic’s injury has thrown the race wide open for three-quarter spots, with Bradman Best, Matt Burton, Jessie Ramien, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton, Izack Tago, Kotoni Staggs and Joseph Suaalii all in the frame for a call-up.

It’s Trbojevic’s fifth career hamstring injury after suffering setbacks in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2023.

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