Patten into Blues squad to cover Gidley

NSW officials are adamant skipper Kurt Gidley will be fit to lead the Blues onto
Suncorp Stadium for Wednesday night's Origin series finale despite veteran Bulldogs
fullback Luke Patten being brought into the squad as 18th man.
Patten on Thursday received his long-awaited call-up to the Blues after it was
revealed Gidley would not be fit to train with the rest of his teammates on Friday
morning due to a rib cartilage injury.
There is also some doubt whether Gidley will take part in Saturday's session at
Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium, but a team spokesperson said the Blues skipper would
be a definite starter on Wednesday night.
"He'll play, but they just don't want to risk him with training tomorrow," the
spokesperson said.
"There's no doubt as to whether he'll play."
Rather, the Blues are concerned with a repeat of the horrid Origin II build-up when
several players were unable to train at different stages of the preparation, forcing
assistant coach Andrew Johns to run in various positions with the side.
Given 18th players have tended to be utility options in past campaigns, it appears
Gidley is the only concern with Patten a specialist fullback.
He will stay with the squad until Saturday before flying to Auckland to play with
the Bulldogs against the Warriors on Sunday.
He will re-join the Blues camp on Monday.
It is expected the other five players who failed to train or complete Wednesday's
first training session - Ben Creagh (foot), Justin Poore (thigh), David Williams
(knee), Anthony Watmough and Michael Ennis (both general soreness) - will also be
right to train on Friday.
For Williams, the final game of the series presents an opportunity to erase the
memories of his Origin debut shocker in Sydney.
"It's probably more a relief just to get a second chance and to make amends for the
last game and put in a better performance," Williams said.
"Everyone has their bad games ... I can't shy away from that. Everyone saw the
performance."
Williams spilled the ball on two of his first few touches in Origin football, one
leading directly to an embarrassing Israel Folau try.
But it was the brainsnap when he kicked ahead for himself only to lose possession on
the first tackle as the Blues mounted their late comeback that haunted the Manly
flyer.
"The kick was the one that put the nail in the coffin," he said.
What didn't help put his demons to rest was the Sea Eagles were given a bye after
the Sydney Origin game, meaning Williams had to wait nearly two weeks until last
Monday's thrilling win over the Bulldogs to get back on the park.
"It would have been better if we got back into it straight away and played another
game," Williams said.
"I had to wait two weeks ... to get another game under my belt to get that
confidence back."
And as for reliving Origin II, Williams said it was only matter of time.
"If there's a DVD I'd be eager to watch it but I haven't got a copy yet," he said.
"Hopefully I will get one ... I've got to watch the game and see where I screwed up
and make sure I don't do it again."