Cordner to miss Origin series following latest head knock

"I felt really good after Wednesday's game; I've pulled up fine. I have no concerns about the knock in game one. I passed the HIA test and was happy to return to the field.

"The decision is more precautionary than anything. It has been a big year and now I can just rest up and relax with a good break coming up. I will be leaving camp today."

Roosters chairman Nick Politis confirmed to the Herald a decision on Cordner had actually been reached on Thursday – and he fully supported his skipper being given a well-earned rest.

"His welfare is paramount to us," Politis said. "I spoke with [NSWRL boss] Dave Trodden and they told me they were going to send him home.

"Boyd has had a rough year with injuries and concussion and it's good to see he will be rested."

The NRL is investigating the decision to allow Cordner to return to the field for the opening Origin encounter in Adelaide. The Roosters and Blues skipper passed a head injury assessment [HIA] after receiving a blow while attempting to tackle Maroons forward Felise Kaufusi.

However, the NRL has written to the NSWRL asking for a “please explain” as to why Cordner wasn't immediately ruled out of the remainder of the game. Under concussion protocols, if a player is suspected to have suffered a ‘category 1' ataxia, in which a loss of coordination and or muscle control is evident, they should take no further part in the contest.

NSWRL boss Dave Trodden said on Friday: "The welfare of our players is always of the utmost importance in our minds. Boyd's decision after consulting with the team doctor Nathan Gibbs and coach Brad Fittler is the appropriate one and we fully support him and wish him a restful off-season."

The NRL were understood to be weighing up forcing Cordner to be assessed by an independent doctor before taking his place in Sydney next Wednesday had he been named.

Cordner has a history of concussions, including one against the Storm which resulted in him missing five matches earlier this year.

Politis said Cordner and Robinson would have a good conversation about giving the backrower an extended break.

Cordner is contracted to the Roosters until 2023, but there is growing belief he may try and lead the Kangaroos to victory at next year's World Cup - provided the tournament goes ahead - and then reassess his future.

Meanwhile, one of the big selection debates will be whether to stick with Nathan Cleary and Luke Keary in the halves for game two, or name Cody Walker in the No. 6 jersey.

After initially calling for Keary to be punted, immortal Andrew Johns told the Herald: "The more thought I give it, the more I'd like to see how Keary and Cody would go. More experience and Nathan's had a long year. He's young as a halfback at club level but in terms of Origin he's a baby. This is the next development for Nathan as a halfback: create under pressure, under fatigue, with his team on the back foot."

More to come