South Sydney star Cody Walker out of final Origin audition with injury

NSW Origin selectors could have some big decisions to make with a trio of stars still under big injury clouds.

Cody Walker will miss his final Origin audition with injury. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

A quad injury has forced South Sydney star Cody Walker out of Saturday’s clash with St George-Illawarra, but it may not end his hope of a call-up for NSW.

Walker will miss his final selection audition having been regarded by several judges as the best five-eighth option for NSW, who need to win game 2 in Brisbane to square the State of Origin series.

Despite the injury, Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said it wasn‘t serious enough to rule him out of Origin contention at this stage. Game 2 is on June 21.

“(Walker) is every chance of being available (for Origin),” Demetriou said.

“It‘s an injury that’s really short term. It’s only happened a couple of days before the game so we’re not in a position to risk him, but Origin’s not for nearly two weeks.

“For us, we know he’ll be back for the game after the bye (in round 16), which is only a few days after Origin.”

Walker wasn’t the only one who failed to train with his team on Friday morning.

Latrell Mitchell, who missed the opening game of the Origin series with a calf injury, also missed as did fellow NSW teammate Cameron Murray, who is nursing a groin injury.

Latrell Mitchell is racing the clock to be fir for Origin II. Picture: NRL Photos

Demetriou, however, said like Walker, both Mitchell and Murray would know before the NSW teams were named on Tuesday morning whether they were fit enough to line up in game 2.

“(Mitchell) is in a good place, physios are working overtime with him as well to give him every chance to be available,” Demetriou said.

“If he’s able to run, he’ll be ready to go. I’d love to see him out there.

“It‘s one of those injuries where every couple of days makes a big difference when you’ve got a low-grade. We’ll see how he responds. Cam Murray is the same.”

NSW selectors already have to find a replacement for injured halfback Nathan Cleary, with Broncos captain Adam Reynolds being talked up by plenty including Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.

Having coached Reynolds at the Rabbitohs, Bennett said if NSW went with the veteran playmaker, Walker should be picked as his partner in the halves given their historic combination.

Panthers star Jarome Luai is the incumbent No.6, with Dally M medallist Nicho Hynes, who came off the bench in the opening Origin game in Adelaide, the leading candidate to replace Cleary.

Originally published as South Sydney star Cody Walker out of final Origin audition with injury