State of Origin: South Sydney’s Cameron Murray firms to recover just in time for Origin II

Cam Murray looks set to recover from his hip injury just in time to make a last-ditch case for selection in NSW’s team for the second State of Origin game.

The South Sydney captain completed a full training session on Tuesday and teammates are optimistic he will play in the round-15 match against Brisbane, pending his completion of captain’s run on Thursday.

“I’d say so,” said veteran prop Tom Burgess 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 missed the Rabbitohs’ last four games and Origin I with the hip-pointer injury he suffered against Penrith in round nine but now looks firmly in the frame for Origin II on June 26.

Handed his NRL debut by new Blues coach Michael Maguire in 2017, Murray has been picked in every Origin game since 2019 when fit and can play either on an edge or through the middle.

His selection looms as a particularly enticing proposition given injury concerns over NSW forwards Liam Martin (foot) and Haumole Olakau’atu (calf).

The pair have suffered their injuries in the past week, though neither had been ruled out of Origin II yet.

Murray’s probable return for the last weekend before teams are picked looms as a major boost to the 16th-placed Rabbitohs, who enter round 15 following their first consecutive wins of 2024.

“Hopefully he’s back in there with us. He’ll be a good asset,” said Souths prop Sean Keppie.

Murray has impressed the Rabbitohs with his application to his recovery.

“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.”

Teammates also endorsed Latrell Mitchell for Origin selection as the Rabbitohs fullback looks to make one last play for the NSW centre spot vacated by the suspended Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Mitchell has not appeared for the Blues since starring in the 2021 series win, through a combination of injuries, form and ruling himself out of contention to focus on club duties.

But the 26-year-old is playing his best football of the season, most recently inspiring Souths to a 46-12 shellacking of Gold Coast on Saturday.

“I don’t think Queensland want to see him selected,” said Souths hooker Peter Mamouzelos.

“For Latrell, it’s just building on the back of his previous performances. If he keeps doing that, I’m pretty sure he’ll be there.”

Burgess doubted Mitchell was focused on proving a point to Maguire after being overlooked for Origin game one.

“I don’t think he’s too worried about that right now. He’s focused on the red and green,” he said.

“He’s passionate about the Blues and wants them to do well. If he’s needed there then I’m sure he’d be in the conversation.”