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New coach Michael Maguire will go into Origin I without one of the Blues’ most reliable players after Cameron Murray was ruled out for as long as two months with a hip problem.
The Rabbitohs announced on Saturday that Murray had suffered a hip flexor complaint during Thursday’s loss to Penrith and would be out for six to eight weeks, ruling him out of the State of Origin series opener and possibly game two in Melbourne.
Murray has been one of NSW’s best in recent years and his absence opens the door or Rabbitohs teammate Keaon Koloamatangi or Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu to step up.
Murray’s injury comes as another hit to the Rabbitohs, who have bounced from setback to setback this season.
Prop Tevita Tatola, centre Campbell Graham and young winger Tyrone Munro are all sidelined long term through injury.
Rising star Jye Gray suffered an ankle injury against Penrith, while superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell has missed the past three games through suspension.
Halfback Dean Hawkins suffered a quad injury against the Panthers, while Lachlan Ilias’s season is all but over after his leg was broken playing reserve grade.
Winger Alex Johnston is at least due to return from a hamstring injury soon, with Souths taking on St George Illawarra and North Queensland in the next fortnight.
But the loss of Murray comes as another seismic blow to the Rabbitohs’ faint hopes of rebuilding their season after one win from their opening eight games.
Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco assured of keeping his spot.
After two straight years of series defeats at the hands of Billy Slater’s rejuvenated Queenslanders and the exit of Brad Fittler as coach, the Blues are certain to field a new-look side when the 2024 interstate battle kicks off at Accor Stadium on June 5.
Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell is reportedly considering withdrawing his availiability from Blues selection to concentrate on club duty after Souths slumped to last place during his recent three-game suspension.
He is no longer a certain selection due to a drop in form after a string of injuries and suspensions.
NRL officials confirmed that players are contractually obliged to make themselves available for selection – and clubs must release them if picked.
Some exemptions are allowed. Kalyn Ponga pulled out for Queensland last year on medical grounds, after an extended period out of action following repeated concussions. South Sydney centre Jack Wighton has also made himself unavailable, having retired from representative football last year.
The Blues will name their team after Round 12 in just over a month and several players need to show they are worthy of a chance to wear the sky-blue jersey in Maguire’s first squad in the Origin arena.
“You’ve got to have experience although one thing I’ve learnt through international football is that some players can step up to another level and some struggle, so it’s finding the right people who can step into this arena and finding the right balance,” Maguire said recently.
“There’s not far between the talent, it’s the character of the player that I’m keen to get a good understanding of because building the character of the team is really important on where we are right now.
“I’m continuing conversations with players about performing well and being consistent.”
Origin III
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Stephen Crichton
4 Bradman Best
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Cody Walker
7 Mitchell Moses
8 Jake Trbojevic
9 Damien Cook
10 Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Cameron Murray
14 Isaah Yeo
15 Jacob Saifiti
16 Reece Robson
17 Clint Gutherson
The Blues overhauled their line-up for game three last year and they recorded a consolation 24-10 win on home turf.
From that side, hooker Damien Cook is all but certain to be omitted this time around with the veteran Rabbitoh languishing in the NSW Cup while Souths teammate Cody Walker and Knights forward Tyson Frizell have likely played their last match for the Blues.
Only winger Brian To’o and forwards Cameron Murray, Liam Martin and Isaah Yeo could be considered automatic selections from the Origin III side with Maguire failing to give Tedesco a guarantee recently when asked whether the skipper would again be lining up at fullback.
Cleary is due back in the next week or two from his hamstring injury and, if fit, he will be the halfback. Whether his Panthers teammate Jarome Luai returns as his fellow playmaker is up in the air with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes and Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton mounting strong selection cases.
Mitchell Moses is an outside chance of making an early return from a broken foot in time for game one but it would be a risk to then pitch him into the Origin cauldron.
Tedesco has been steady at fullback for the Roosters but Penrith’s Dylan Edwards and Manly star Tom Trbojevic have been overshadowing him at club level and both have strong claims to the NSW No.1 jersey.
At hooker, Reece Robson played his first two Origins last year and is vying with Api Koroisau and Cronulla’s Blayke Brailey for the starting job.
(Photo by George Wood/Getty Images for RLWC)
Even if he makes himself available, Mitchell is running out of time to show he is worth another run while Trbojevic is a certain starter at centre if he is not needed at fullback.
Bradman Best scored two tries on debut in game three last year but has been quiet for Newcastle this season while Canterbury recruit Stephen Crichton is another big-game performer in the mix.
On the wings, To’o will get one jersey while Zac Lomax is mounting a serious challenge to depose Josh Addo-Carr for the other flank with rugby-bound Roosters speedster Joseph Suaalii another option.
Haas will spearhead the Blues up front, Yeo and Martin will bring experience but the other six forward spots in the run-on side and interchange are up for grabs.
Murray’s hip problem is great news for Queensland as the South Sydney skipper has been one of the Blues’ busiest workers in recent seasons.
Rabbitohs second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi impressed in his Origin debut last year while Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu has been in strong form in recent weeks.
Maguire is reportedly considering a more-experienced hard worker like Cronulla veteran Cameron McInnes while the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Junior Paulo, Hudson Young, Jacob and Daniel Saifiti, and Stefano Utoikamanu are on the long list of candidates.
Liam Martin. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
1 James Tedesco
2 Brian To’o
3 Tom Trbojevic
4 Stephen Crichton
5 Josh Addo-Carr
6 Jarome Luai
7 Nathan Cleary
8 Payne Haas
9 Api Koroisau
10 Junior Paulo
11 Keaon Koloamatangi
12 Liam Martin
13 Isaah Yeo
14 Nicho Hynes
15 Cameron McInnes
16 Haumole Olakau’atu
17 Stefano Utoikamanu
18 Bradman Best
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