Kennedy passed
fit for NSW

New South Wales forward Ben Kennedy has been cleared to lead the Blues pack into State of Origin I after passing a fitness test on his hamstring.

Kennedy was originally scheduled to undergo a test this morning but requested it be held yesterday in an effort to end the guessing-game over whether he would play at Suncorp Stadium. The 29-year-old was a relieved man afterwards, free to concentrate on Origin I and locking horns with the Queensland pack, led by Gorden Tallis.

Manly captain Steve Menzies will also travel with the Blues to Brisbane today after being drafted into the squad as an 18th man. The Blues will have a training session in Sydney this morning before flying to Brisbane in the afternoon to finalise their preparations for Origin I.