Cameron Murray will miss the State of Origin series opener with a hip injury as South Sydney’s horror season goes from bad to worse.
The Rabbitohs confirmed on Saturday that Murray had suffered a hip flexor injury in Thursday night’s loss to Penrith, ruling him out for between six and eight weeks.
It means the Souths captain has no chance of playing for NSW in the series opener on June 5, and would also be an unlikely chance of being fit for Game II on June 26.
The defender has been a regular at Origin for the Blues since his debut in 2019, missing just two games through injury since then in 2020.
But he has looked battered and bruised during Souths’ nightmare start to 2024, with the bottom-placed Rabbitohs struggling for form across the park.
Murray’s injury is another blow for the Rabbitohs, who have bounced back from setback after setback this season.
Prop Tevita Tatola, center Campbell Graham and young winger Tyrone Munro are sidelined long-term through injury.
Rising star Jye Gray suffered an ankle injury against Penrith, while superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell has missed the last three games through suspension.
Running back Dean Hawkins suffered a quadriceps injury against the Panthers, while Lachlan Ilias’ season was nearly over after he broke his leg playing as a reserve.
Winger Alex Johnston will at least return soon from a hamstring injury, with Souths set to face St George Illawarra and North Queensland in the coming fortnight.
But the loss of Murray is another seismic blow to the Rabbitohs’ faint hopes of rebuilding their season after one win in their first eight games.
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AAP
