Mullen’s Origin hopes hanging by a thread

Newcastle playmaker Jarrod Mullen‘s representitive hopes were hanging by a thread yesterday as he prepared to undergo a scan on his injured shoulder.

The 22-year-old halfback suffered the injury during the Knights’ 26-24 loss to Wests Tigers and will find out the result of tests tommorrow. Mullen, who has been in scintillating form for Newcastle, is favoured by many to make a return to the NSW fold after making his Origin debut in 2007.

His main rival for the number seven jersey for the Blues is Mitchell Pearce, who has enjoyed only an indifferent start to the season with the Sydney Roosters.