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Westpac NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley has revealed the injury cloud hovering over winger Brian To’o was a key factor in his decision to select Jacob Kiraz as 18th man for the State of Origin decider.

To’o suffered a knee injury in Penrith’s victory over Kiraz’s Bulldogs last Thursday night and while scans cleared him of serious injury, he will be on restricted duties for much of the lead-in to next Wednesday’s clash at Accor Stadium.

The winger will be given as long as possible to prove his fitness, with To'o needing to show clear signs of his ability to play by Saturday. 

Kiraz was rushed into camp for one training session before Game Two as To’o managed a hamstring injury, before later returning to play for the Bulldogs that weekend.

Under NRL rules, the 18th man remains in camp the entire week, while the 19th and 20th men will return to play for their clubs in Round 18 of the NRL competition.

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Daley: 'We haven't reached our ceiling yet'

Given To’o’s likely inability to train until Saturday at the earliest, Daley said it was crucial Kiraz spent the full 10 days preparing for next week’s clash with the Blues.

"Bizza's scan was a good one but he'll be on restricted duties," Daley said. "You can't afford to take any chances there so that's why Jacob's 18th man. He'll train the majority of the sessions and he won't miss a beat if we need to make that change.

"We've got the flexibility there so it won't disrupt our preparation. More importantly, Bizza can try and get right and Jacob, if he plays, he's got a good 11-day prep going into his first Origin game."

To'o is one of a host of Blues who entered camp on Monday under an injury cloud after a torrid few weeks for the side. 

Nathan Cleary injured his groin the day before Game Two and was hampered in Perth but got through last week's Penrith victory unscathed. 

Hudson Young was rested from Canberra's win over Newcastle with a groin niggle, while Jarome Luai was a late scratching from the Wests Tigers loss to Manly due to an infection. 

All three men have declared their fitness and Daley is not concerned about their ability play next Wednesday night. 

To'o, however, remains the biggest concern. The winger has endured a challenging year, having navigated a pair of hamstring injuries before last week's knee injury. While frustrated to be hit by another setback, the winger declared he will line up for the Blues at Accor Stadium.

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Can find the line

"I'm feeling pretty good," To'o said. "I feel like it's normal [for me] copping an injury. 

"Sometimes it doesn't go your way. This year it's been one of those years where I'm always going to cop a bit of a niggle but I'm always ready to go every week and just keep playing footy."

There has been plenty of discussion around the role of the 18th man in State of Origin games this season, with some clubs pushing for the player to be released back for their NRL match.

The Bulldogs have been hardest hit, with Queensland’s Kurt Mann and NSW utility Matt Burton filling the position throughout the series and forced to miss Canterbury games as a result.

Last weekend, however, highlighted the importance of the role when Dragons' 18th man Nathan Lawson was rushed into the side just four minutes before kick off when Christian Tuipulotu suffered a hamstring injury in the warm up.

Kiraz said the incident is a timely reminder of the need to prepare this week as if he's going to make his NSW debut in the decider next Wednesday night. 

"That's where my heads at," Kiraz said. "I'll prepare the way I normally do. I'll be warming up with the team, I'll be doing everything with the team so in my head I'm playing. 

"I'm going to prepare to play because you never know what could happen. I don't want to not be ready, I just want to put my head around that and do everything I can to help."

Tickets for State of Origin Game Three are selling fast. Don't miss your chance to witness history live at Accor Stadium. Get your tickets now at NRL.com/tickets.