South Sydney stars Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray have undergone medical assessments confirming Wednesday's bad news for Rabbitohs supporters.
Mitchell's scan has revealed a hamstring injury that will take the star fullback out of the game for up to eight weeks. Murray's ruptured Achilles has been confirmed and he will undergo surgery. The recovery from an Achilles repair can be long and frustrating, but Murray is hopeful of a late season return.
"Cam's is an Achilles' rupture; he will see the surgeon and most likely have surgery. It is always difficult putting timeframes on Cameron because he is such a committed competitor and such a professional, but as he undertakes his rehabilitation after the surgery we will be able to keep people updated as to when we expect him back on the field," South Sydney CEO Blake Solly said.
"He has had a rotten run with injury, Cameron, so he is like anyone in this situation, a bit disappointed, but one of the great things about Cameron is that he is very resilient, he is a leader, he loves the sport, so he will be already focusing on how quickly he can get back on the field and help his teammates."
Mitchell has had hamstring problems in the past, including during both the 2020 and 2022 seasons.
He then managed only 11 games in 2024, sidelined for the second half of the season with a foot issue as the Rabbitohs missed the finals for a second straight year.
"Latrell had a scan last night, there is a slight hamstring strain there, I think he should be back in up to eight weeks time, again we will work with Latrell, it is very early days, he will start the rehabilitation process and hopefully he will be on the field sooner than that," Solly said.
The injuries are the latest in a tough start to coach Wayne Bennett's return to the Rabbitohs this season.
Campbell Graham (hand) and five-eighth Cody Walker (calf) are both under injury clouds ahead of the round-one clash with the Dolphins on March 7. Alex Johnston has his own Achilles issues, and is expected to miss at least the first month of the season.
For Murray, his Achilles injury continues a horror run of bad luck. He missed part of last season with a hip injury, before suffering damage to his wrist while in end-of-season Kangaroos camp.