Injured or not, Paul Gallen must be picked by NSW State of Origin selectors if they want to level the three-match series in Sydney on June24, according to Cronulla Sharks coach Ricky Stuart.
Gallen single handedly, in more ways than one, lifted the Sharks to a 24-22 win over the Canberra Raiders at Canberra Stadium yesterday.
Playing with one useable arm after injuring his right shoulder, Gallen scored the winning try with two minutes to play to guide the Sharks to their third consecutive win.
The game was the tenacious lock's 150th NRL appearance and return to first grade after the most controversial month of his career.
Since the Sharks' round 11 match against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Gallen:
Was fined $10,000 for alleged abuse against Dragons forward Mickey Paea;
Missed the opening State of Origin match with a shoulder injury;
Was stripped of the Cronulla captaincy, and;
Has been accused of grabbing Michael Crocker's testicles twice in an Origin match last year.
The 27-year-old put everything aside and, despite limited movement in his arm, scored two tries and made 35 tackles against the Raiders.
NSW selectors will name their squad for game two tonight and Stuart said the Blues needed Gallen.
''He couldn't tackle with one shoulder, he's in real bother but he's a tough kid,'' Stuart said.
''The club means so much to him, he hung out there for 30-odd minutes with one arm and wouldn't come off and he's got that character that we need in Origin.''
Stuart said five-eighth Trent Barrett had to wear the Blues No6 jumper after his impressive form.
The decision to play Gallen was made just before kick-off.
Gallen was desperate to take the field in a bid to keep his Origin hopes alive, despite the risk of further injury.
With 10 days to recover before the NSW and Queensland rematch, Stuart backed his former skipper to be fit and help the Blues level the series.
''He said [before the game], 'if it gets jammed up again I'm going to lose all the feeling in it and I'm not going to have any strength,''' Stuart said. ''He was happy to take the risk ... I don't know the extent of the injury but with another 10 or 12 days of rehab and training he might be right.
''He's in a bit of pain but I'm sure they'll pick him ... absolutely [I'd have him there].''
While the club struggles with off-field incidents, the Sharks have made an about-face from their early-season form.
The team lost nine in a row before winning the last three and Stuart admitted it was hard to shelter his players from distractions.
Chief executive Tony Zappia resigned last week in the wake of a workplace misconduct allegation involving a female employee.
''I've never been involved in a football club with so much adversity all in one period,'' Stuart said.
''It's been such a tough period ... it's about what type of character you have when you come through the back end.''
Zappia travelled from Sydney to watch yesterday's game as a ''fan''.
''I've still got to support the team. I love rugby league,'' he said.
Zappia said he planned to do ''sweet FA'' for a few months before weighing up his future employment options, which include possibly taking charge at Parramatta. with AAP
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