Cameron Murray injury the latest blow for South Sydney as Rabbitohs look for loan players

South Sydney has just 17 fit players to choose from for next week’s game with the club sounding out NSW Cup and QCup teams in the hopes of securing replacements on a short-term loan.

South Sydney have backed the reintroduction of the short-lived loan system as the club is forced to call in players just to fill a side to take on St George-Illawarra on Saturday.

The Rabbitohs’ season continues to plunge into despair with news that inspirational captain Cameron Murray will be sidelined for up to two months with a hip injury.

That has left South Sydney interim coach Ben Hornby with just 17 fit players to choose from when they face the club he captained to a 2010 premiership.

It comes as South Sydney plummeted to joint $2.50 favourites for the wooden spoon alongside the Titans, according to the TAB.

Rabbitohs officials were scrambling on Saturday morning as they were forced to tap into their feeder club arrangement with Queensland Cup side the Townsville Blackhawks.

Cameron Murray suffered a hip flexor injury on Thursday night & will miss the next 6-8 weeks. Likely high grade strain with that recovery timeframe.

Comes on the back of two other 6+ weeks injuries for the Rabbitohs announced yesterday - when it rains it pours. pic.twitter.com/Ggw122Hvfy

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 3, 2024

With their backline stocks almost depleted, the Rabbitohs have called in ex-Brisbane, Newcastle and North Queensland player Gehamat Shibasaki on a week-to-week basis.

The Blackhawks have a host a players with NRL experience including former Kangaroo James Tamou, Kalifa Faifai-Loa, Matt Wright and Kyle Laybutt.

The Rabbitohs opted for Shibasaki, who is now eligible to play this weekend.

South Sydney boss Blake Solly said a loan system should be considered to help with situations that his club is facing.

The NRL successfully used a loan system during the Covid period where players were able to enjoy short stints at a rival before returning to their club.

Ex-Tigers winger David Nofoaluma was the last high-profile player to be loaned out, when he played six games for Melbourne in 2022 before returning to the Tigers last season.

“The loan system works well in the UK and we have always thought it had some merit here with the right controls,” Solly said.

“But it’s not to be so we will look at what we can do with our NSW Cup squad and our Blackhawks partnership.”

Cody Walker is expected to captain South Sydney in Murray’s absence.

The Rabbitohs will welcome back Latrell Mitchell who will return in the No. 1 jersey despite a temptation to switch up Mitchell.

Hornby’s first match in charge last Thursday has now become a horror showing.

While losing 42-12 they also will be without Murray, Jye Gray (ankle), Jacob Host (suspension) and Dean Hawkins (thigh).

Dion Teaupa is in line to make his NRL debut alongside Walker in the halves with Shibasaki a chance to partner Jack Wighton at centre.

Tallis Duncan is likely to come into the 17.

Former Broncos, Cowboy and Knight Gehamat Shibasaki has joined the Rabbitohs on a short-term deal. Picture: Ian Hitchcock

Duncan was the only top 30 contracted player for South Sydney to play in their 30-10 NSW Cup loss to Penrith on Thursday night.

Shibasaki, 25, has played 29 NRL games since making his debut with the Broncos in 2018. He played two games for the Cowboys last year.

The Rabbitohs fall from grace, which led to Jason Demetriou’s sacking, has seen them plummet to equal favourites in the most losses market.

They started the season at $81 for most losses and were third favourites to win the premiership.

“From a betting perspective I don’t think we’ve ever seen such a dramatic fall from grace like this,” said TAB spokesman Rohan Welsh.

“Perhaps Anthony Seibold’s Broncos can compare but they were a pretty youthful pack back then. Souths were top of the table and title favourites less than a year ago.

“They opened as third favourites behind Penrith and Brisbane for the 2024 market because almost every season throws up a side from outside the final eight the previous year that makes the top 4.

“TAB punters also jumped on board before Christmas.

“The expectation during the off-season was such that they’re still the best backed in the Top 4 market despite blowing out from $2.60 to $201.

“The Tigers are still best backed in TAB’s most losses market due to strong money in the off-season, while The Titans took a flood of money a few weeks back, but now it’s Souths that punters see imploding.”