NRL News: Another Wallabies defeat as NRL star extends, Roosters star a chance for finals showdown, Bunnies may reject Churchill Medal

Cameron Murray has extended his Souths contract to the end of 2028, putting a line through another name of Eddie Jones’ hitlist of NRL stars.

The Bunnies captain agreed his new long-term deal despite the huge upheaval at the club in recent weeks, and at just 25, is likely to lead his boyhood club into the future.

He is a local junior, having come through at the Mascot Jets, but was heavily linked with rugby union given his background as schoolboy champion at Newington College.

Murray had previously expressed an interest in talking to Jones, but had parked the idea as something he might do at the back end of his career. Now, with a contract lasting until he is 30, that will be the only way it happens.

“This Club has always been home to me and I never saw myself playing anywhere else,” said Murray.

“It was a no brainer for me to extend my contract here and I’m grateful to be able to represent South Sydney, our
Members and fans every day.

“The Club has always looked after me and I feel like I’ve always done my best to put the Club’s best interests at
the forefront of anything I do.

“I’m really grateful to the Club for putting its trust in me to be a part of our next five years.”

Roosters star a chance for finals showdown

Joey Manu is rated as a 50/50 chance of making the Sydney Roosters’ squad for Friday’s finals showdown with eternal rivals South Sydney following his hamstring injury on Saturday night.

The Kiwi star pulled up lame in the first half of their win over the Wests Tigers and was withdrawn, with Easts officials immediately confirming that it was a hamstring issue.

Usually, that would preclude such a swift return, but scans have shown that it is a low-grade strain, giving Manu a chance of making kick off.

If he could make it, it would be a huge risk: hamstring injuries have a high rate of reoccurrence and fans would be left sweating every time Manu got close to top speed.

Should he start and then go down, it would force a major reshuffle with likely Siua Wong moving back to the centres or Drew Hutchison being included on the bench as a utility.

Manu injured himself playing fullback, though that will not be an issue this time around as regular custodian James Tedesco returns from a head knock to suit up against the Bunnies.

Souths may reject Churchill Medal

Souths have to get through the Roosters to secure their place in the eight, and the Grand Final will certainly feel a long way away. But if they make it, a storm is brewing.

The Daily Telegraph is reporting that, should a Bunnies player win the Clive Churchill Medal for man of the match in the Grand Final, they will reject it following controversial comments from the son of the rugby league legend regarding Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell.

Rod Churchill described Latrell as a ‘cancer’ on the club and a ‘myth’ as a player, causing outrage from within the Souths organisation and blowback from the Rugby League Players’ Association.

It is thought that no Souths player will accept the award, traditionally handed out by a member of the Churchill family, in light of the comments.

Even Australian Rugby League Commission boss Peter V’landys has waded in, telling the Telegraph that he supported Mitchell.

“People are entitled to their views but at the end of the day we’re talking about a human being,” he said.

“I think it’s about time people backed off. Enough is enough. Leave the guy alone. He does a lot of great things behind the scenes that people don’t see.

“From my experiences with him he’s a very good person. He’s high profile – and I understand that – but he is still a human being. He’s a good father and husband.

“He’s such a great role model for Indigenous kids. They want to be Latrell Mitchell. It gives them hope in life.”

(Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Panthers resting will be late call

Penrith’s decision to rest their players will be held to the last moment, with the Panthers likely to hold off a decision until they have seen the result of Thursday night’s clash between the Broncos and Storm.

If the Broncos win, they will pick up the J.J Giltinan Shield as minor premiers, leaving the Panthers stuck in second regardless of their result at home to North Queensland on Saturday evening.

In that event, according to the Sydney Morning Herald, Ivan Cleary will choose to give some of his stars the night off in preparation for a home final a week later which, if the Storm lose, will be against the New Zealand Warriors.

The Panthers would likely pull Dylan Edwards, Isaah Yeo and Liam Martin, but would stick with Nathan Cleary given the time he has already missed due to injury and the need to build a new pairing with Jack Cogger after losing Jarome Luai to a dislocated shoulder last Thursday.