Latrell Mitchell ruled out of Origin III with calf strain

The New South Wales Blues have had more pain piled on after a shattering thrashing at the hands of Queensland in Game 2, with one of the biggest names in the game ruled out.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 10: Latrell Mitchell of the Rabbitohs looks on during the round 15 NRL match between St George Illawarra Dragons and South Sydney Rabbitohs at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on June 10, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

The Blues have copped yet another injury blow as the state languishes in the fallout from an unassailable 2-0 series deficit.

Souths superstar Latrell Mitchell, ruled out of the first two games with a calf injury, has had the same concern rule him out for the final game of the series, with Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou not expecting him to play until after the club’s bye in Round 21.

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“He won’t be available for game three – his calf is not responding – and he won’t play until after the bye,” Demetriou told the Nine papers.

“It’s taken longer than we thought. With the calf, they can sometimes scan better than they are.

“We had the same with Hame (Sele) earlier in the year, and we’ve had similar problems with Jacob Host – the scan says one thing, but the way they respond and are able to train says the opposite.

“We’re not in the position where we need to rush it at all. We need to make sure we get Latrell fit and firing for after that bye week.

“It takes the pressure off him in terms of trying to get on the field here and for Origin, and just focus on his rehab.”

Mitchell has missed all football since before Game 1 of this year’s Origin series. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

A return in Round 21 would see Mitchell miss eight weeks by the time he returns, with physiotherapist and injury analyst Brian Seeney saying “calf strains (are) notorious for lingering but this (is) an extreme case.”

Mitchell is not the only Rabbitoh in the headlines after the Blues’ performance in Game 2, with club teammates Cameron Murray left on the bench for much of the game and hooker Damien Cook played out of position in the centres.

Demetriou said he was “not too sure” of some of the tactical decisions made by Blues coach Brad Fittler around his club charges, but that it had “done (Souths) a favour”, confirming that both Cook and Murray would back up and play against North Queensland on Sunday afternoon.

Cameron Murray only played 30 minutes in the Blues’ loss to Queensland. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“I don’t know what to say,” he said.

“It’s done us a favour bringing Cam on with 30 minutes to go, that’s for sure.

“I’m not too sure how a player of his level sits on the bench for 50 minutes. It’s up to the coaches. It’s never easy. You get it right, you don’t get the plaudits. You get it wrong, you get hammered.

“It’s the unfortunate part of being the head coach.

“I’m sure Freddy will wear that. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.”

Demetriou said he “can understand the thought process behind” playing Cook in the centres, given the early pectoral injury to Tom Trbojevic.

Trbojevic tore his pectoral in the opening salvos of the clash at Suncorp Stadium, with scans on Thursday confirming the tear.

Trbojevic’s club, Manly, released a statement on Friday afternoon confirming that the 26-year-old star will undergo surgery and was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Originally published as Latrell Mitchell ruled out of Origin III with calf strain