Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga has defended the handling of Cameron Murray’s wrist injury, which could see the South Sydney skipper spend five months out of the game.
Meninga confirmed Murray injured his wrist at training in the days leading up to last Sunday’s Pacific Championships clash with New Zealand, but said there was no reason to rest him – and eliminate the chance of further injury – because Murray never complained about being in pain.
Murray, who wore strapping around his left wrist, played 80 minutes and made nearly 50 tackles in the 22-10 win, which got Australia through to next Sunday’s final.
It was only when Murray’s wrist started to swell on Monday that Kangaroos medicos sent him for precautionary scans. Because it was a public holiday in New Zealand, Murray had to fly from Christchurch to Wellington. Meninga said Kangaroos medical staff immediately contacted their South Sydney counterparts to inform them about the injury.
Murray is expected to undergo surgery this week in Sydney to repair the scapholunate injury.
Meninga said the Kangaroos had the option to start with Hudson Young, but there had been no reason to rest Murray because he wanted to play.
Cameron Murray played through the pain of a serious wrist injury in Sunday’s win over New Zealand.Credit: Getty Images
“I know Cam had hurt it at training, but we didn’t know the extent of it because he kept it quiet – he never complained and just got on with business,” Meninga said.
“He never wanted anyone to know. We knew he was sore, but he was fine to play. It’s that simple.
“He still had a terrific game, and it’s not like it affected him. It’s unfortunate it happened.
“And regardless of how serious it was prior to the game, I can only imagine he’s done the damage throughout the game.
“The welfare of our players is the most important thing, but he felt like he could play, and he made that choice.
“We’re calling out for players to make themselves available for the international game, and he epitomises that. I know he loves playing the game and playing in the Australian colours. From my perspective, that’s the exact kind of person you want putting on the Australian jersey.”
Murray was restricted to 14 games for Souths because of injury last season and will be eager to stay on the park as Wayne Bennett looks to rebuild the battling Rabbitohs in his second coming, after the foundation club missed the finals in 2024 for the second straight year.
The Kangaroos will enter camp on the Central Coast on Sunday ahead of next Sunday’s Pacific Championships final at CommBank Stadium, where Parramatta recruit Zac Lomax gets to represent his country at his future home ground.
Meninga will resist bringing in a replacement player. Young is expected to slot in for Murray, with a call still to be made on the make-up of the bench.
Ben Hunt is officially unemployed after being released by St George Illawarra during the week, but remains insured by the Dragons should Meninga promote him to the bench after being 18th man for the first two Tests against Tonga and the Kiwis.
“I haven’t even asked Ben about what is happening in clubland, but I do know he’s a leader, and I like what he provides on and off the field,” Meninga said. “He’s been perfect around the group this camp. Ben Hunt is a great man and I like him as a person.”
The Pacific Championships is Live and free on Channel 9 & 9Now