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 to be fit for Game II on June 26.
The backrower has been a regular in Origin for the Blues since his 2019 debut, missing only two games through injury since then in 2020.
But he has appeared battered and bruised through Souths' nightmare start to 2024, with the last-placed Rabbitohs struggling for form across the park.
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.
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AAP