Latrell Mitchell is a doubt for State of Origin opener

James Gordon
Latrell Mitchell

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of action for two months with a hamstring tear.

Mitchell, 24, hobbled off during the Rabbitohs’ win over St George-Illawarra on Saturday.

It means he is now a doubt for the State of Origin opener for New South Wales on June 8.

Souths physio Eddie Farah explained: “Unfortunately, Latrell was unable to complete the game, he went down with a hamstring injury, reported feeling a pull or a grab in his hamstring.

“The MRI scan confirmed what we expected, there was a definite tear and it was located in the tendon rather than the muscle, that means recovery will be a lot slower.

“At this stage, we’re expecting him to be out for approximately eight weeks.”

Missing games

Latrell Mitchell would have been a likely starter against Queensland in game one.

He played all three games last year at centre as New South Wales won the series 2-1.

The former Sydney Roosters man will also be hoping to add to his four Australia caps when the World Cup comes to England later this year.

Suspension ruled Mitchell out of the season opener, and he has scored two tries in four appearances since.

After last week’s match against Penrith, he had a cortisone injection to relieve swelling in his knee.

But he limped out of the 24-12 win over the Dragons after just 14 minutes with the hamstring knock.

Mitchell was virtually an ever present in four seasons with the Roosters from 2016-2019.

But since moving to the Rabbitohs, the most games he has managed in a season so far is 17.

This latest knock will rule him out of Souths’ upcoming games against Canterbury, Wests and Manly.

Souths have a bye week in eight weeks time, the weekend before the State of Origin opener.

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