Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell injured: Inside the horror five minutes that could derail South Sydney’s season

It was the calamitous 300 seconds that left the Rabbitohs without captain Cameron Murray and sweating on superstar Latrell Mitchell. See inside the shock training session that could haunt Wayne Bennett and the Bunnies all season.

This was the calamitous five minutes that could sink South Sydney two weeks before the NRL season even starts.

This masthead can reveal the gut-wrenching injuries to Rabbitohs stars Cam Murray and Latrell Mitchell on Wednesday morning actually occurred in the same training block, in the same drill, just five minutes apart.

Murray was pushing up during an innocuous defensive drill when he sustained a potential season-ending Achilles rupture just before Mitchell felt his hamstring pop.

Unbelievably, both players were left side-by-side in the physio room at the club’s USANA Rabbitohs Centre at Heffron Park, Maroubra.

Could this be the 300 seconds that will haunt the club and new coach Wayne Bennett all season?

Murray is expected to miss between five to nine months but there is a resignation at Souths their skipper won’t play this season. He was booked for scans on Wednesday night with club trainers immediately fearing the worst.

Latrell Mitchell at Souths HQ with strapping on his right hamstring.

The South Sydney backrower, who will also be unavailable for the entire State of Origin series, had to be helped from the training field.

Although he managed to walk from the training field, Mitchell was immediately ruled out of this weekend’s Charity Shield game against St George Illawarra in Mudgee.

Mitchell will have scans before the club can determine whether he will be available for round one against the Dolphins. Souths may opt not to risk Mitchell so early in the season. Jye Gray is expected to be new fullback.

Some members of the public – who were watching training from the sidelines – were shocked at watching both players suffer injuries just minutes apart.

Betting markets reacted instantly to the club’s injury crisis with TAB revealing Souths had blown from $17 to $34 outsiders in premiership markets.

This masthead understands Cody Walker may now assume the captaincy with Murray and Mitchell unavailable.

(L-R) Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray.

Representative players Jai Arrow and Jack Wighton are also leadership candidates with Arrow, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tallis Duncan and young Lachlan Hubner in line to replace Murray.

It is unknown whether Souths will seek salary cap exemption from the NRL to cover Murray’s loss.

“The injury carnage has seen Souths’ odds immediately double from $17 to $34 while they have gone from $1.80 out to $2.35 just to make the final eight,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.

“It’s a major blow for them. While Latrell adds the x-factor, Murray is probably the heart and soul of that side and the pack looks far less threatening without him.

“Souths were the fourth best backed side to win the premiership behind the Storm, Panthers and Brisbane and we had trimmed them from $21 into $17 on the back of that weight of money.”

Cameron Murray’s chances of playing State or Origin this year are effectively over. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

With Blues certainty Murray out injured, Queensland tightened in State of Origin series betting from $2.20 into $2.10.

NSW coach Laurie Daley said: “It’s a big disappointment for Cam and a massive blow for Souths. Cam is an amazing player and he certainly would have been in the (NSW) 17, for sure.”

Former NRL player Matt Adamson described Murray’s injury as “heartbreaking.”

Social media’s NRL physio, Brien Seeney, took to X to further explain Murray’s plight.

Horrible news with Cameron Murray suffering a suspected achilles rupture at Rabbitohs training.

While he’s yet to have scans, an achilles rupture is one of the easiest injuries to diagnose with hands on testing. Murray will be facing surgery & 5-8 months recovery, feel for him. pic.twitter.com/cjcKfKjM01

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) February 19, 2025

“Horrible news with Cameron Murray suffering a suspected Achilles rupture at Rabbitohs training,” Seeney posted.

“While he’s yet to have scans, an Achilles rupture is one of the easiest injuries to diagnose with hands-on testing. Murray will be facing surgery and a five to eight month recovery. I feel for him.”

A Souths statement read: “Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray has a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon suffered at training.

“He will get scans, however he is not expected to be available to play in the coming months.

“Rabbitohs fullback Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of this Saturday’s Charity Shield with a hamstring complaint. He will get scans to determine the extent of the injury.”

Murray sustained a serious wrist injury during the Pacific Nations tournament at the end of last season. Former Australian player Darius Boyd returned from an Achilles injury after five months.

Originally published as Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell injured: Inside the horror five minutes that could derail South Sydney’s season