In time for South Sydney’s Friday night game against the Broncos, Cameron Murray is anticipated to return from injury. Following a successful full training session on Tuesday, the Rabbitohs captain, who had a hip-pointer injury against Penrith in round nine, has allegedly recovered to be ready to make his NRL comeback and challenge for Origin II. He has missed Souths’ last four games as well as Origin I. If Murray manages to fulfill the captain’s run on Thursday, his teammates are hopeful he will be able to participate in their game against Brisbane. The Souths lock will undoubtedly be the focus of NSW coach Michael Maguire’s attention. Proven prop Tom Burgess responded, “I’d say so,” when asked whether Murray would line up on Friday.
“He’s pretty close. He’s got to see how how he pulls up after today, he did everything today. I’d put my money on him playing.”
Murray has impressed the Rabbitohs with his swift recovery and Tom Burgess says he looks as good as ever. “He looked like he’s not missed a beat, out there today on the field. He’s obviously very professional in how he goes about his recovery,” Burgess said. “He’s got back out there probably ahead of time.”
Handed his NRL debut by the Blues coach in 2017, Murray has been picked in every Origin game since 2019 when fit and he has the versatility to be deployed through the middle or on an edge. With injury concerns hanging over NSW forwards Liam Martin (foot) and Haumole Olakau’atu (calf), Martin’s return couldn’t come at a better time.
Maguire will name his squad for NSW’s do-or-die match against Queensland in Melbourne on June 26 next Sunday, where there are numerous question marks over his team selection. The Blues went 1-0 down in the series as the Maroons racked up a 38-10 victory after Joseph Suaalii was sent off in just the seventh minute. And the Blues need to be victorious in Game II to keep their hopes of winning the Origin Shield alive.
