League: NSW lose Gallen for State of Origin

NSW'S quest for State of Origin redemption has been rocked by the loss through injury of test forward and enforcer Paul Gallen.

A devastated Gallen told team-mates he would step aside for fellow test forward Anthony Laffranchi after failing to complete training yesterday.

Gallen is the second test forward forced out of Craig Bellamy's new-look side but the addition of Gold Coast's Laffranchi should not weaken the Blues.

"Gal is a big loss to the team. We play a similar role, but I won't go out there and do what Paul Gallen does," said Laffranchi.

Bellamy hasn't decided whether Laffranchi or Penrith's Luke Lewis, who replaced the suspended Glenn Stewart, will start at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Gallen's club is embroiled in scandal and turmoil and his captaincy is under review for a racial slur in a game last week which attracted a A$10,000 (NZ$12,748) fine from the NRL.