Manly are lobbying the NRL for an exemption to play Tolu Koula in round 14 after their star centre suffered a head knock in the illegal tackle that defined State of Origin I.
Koula lay sprawled on the ground following a shoulder charge from Queensland fullback Kalyn Ponga, who was dramatically banished from the field in NSW's win last Wednesday.
Blues debutant Koula initially reported category-two symptoms before failing a head injury assessment in the sheds at Accor Stadium.
That meant he was set to miss NRL clashes against Cronulla and South Sydney, both of which fell inside the 11-day stand-down period mandated for any player who fails an HIA.
The Sea Eagles had always planned to rest Koula from last Friday's loss to Cronulla, which was played only 48 hours after his Origin debut.
But Koula has been symptom-free since returning to Manly headquarters on Thursday morning, buoying the Sea Eagles in their push for an exemption.
He took part in non-contact training on Monday at Manly's first session since Friday's defeat.
A Manly spokesperson confirmed to AAP the club had filed paperwork requesting an exemption to play Koula against Souths on Thursday.
The fact the game will be played more than seven days after Koula's head knock will strengthen the Sea Eagles' case.
To line up, Koula will need to be entirely free of category-one symptoms and return normal cognitive testing results, as judged by a neurological expert appointed by the NRL.
Players who have suffered five or more concussions in their career are ineligible for exemptions from the 11-day stand-down period, as are those who have had another concussion in the previous three months.
But Koula's limited history should help his cause.
Since making his NRL debut in 2022, the 23-year-old had never suffered a game-ending head knock before last Wednesday.
Koula is expected to feature somewhere on the Sea Eagles' round-14 team sheet on Tuesday afternoon in case the NRL approves Manly's request.
That approval could come as late as Wednesday, with Manly to host the Rabbitohs the following day.
Facing Souths appears crucial for Koula, who otherwise will not have the chance to play again before teams are picked for Origin II.
Blues coach Laurie Daley previously indicated he would keep the faith with Koula for game two, rather than promote his mid-game replacement Casey McLean to the starting side.
But McLean is building an irresistible case for a starting berth, having scored two tries for Penrith in Sunday's win over fellow premiership hopefuls the Warriors.
Canterbury's Jacob Kiraz is another contender after making an impressive return from his knee injury in round 12.
Sea Eagles teammate Jason Saab was hopeful Koula would gain another chance after his Origin debut was curtailed.
"Obviously I'm going to sound biased here ... (but) I feel like it was kind of taken away from him, coming off," he said.
"He was playing really, really well up until that injury, he was doing his job.
"It's just disappointing, he worked so hard to make that team and definitely deserved to see that whole game out. But footy happens."
