South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell appears unlikely to be fit for this year's State of Origin opener with the NRL club confirming he's facing eight weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
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Mitchell limped off in the first half of last Saturday's 24-12 win over St George Illawarra at Accor Stadium.
Despite hopes the NSW representative would only be ruled out for about four weeks, scans have shown the Rabbitohs' fullback's injury is significant.
"Unfortunately the MRI scan he had the next day confirmed what we expected, there was a definite tear in the hamstring," Souths' head physiotherapist Eddie Farah said.
"The tear was located in the tendon rather than the muscle and what that means is recovery is going to be a lot slower."
This year's Origin opener is on June 8, meaning if the eight-week timeline is accurate Mitchell would line-up for the Blues without any football under his belt for two months if picked.
The situation opens the door for several contenders to replace Mitchell at centre in the Blues' backline.
Penrith's Stephen Crichton is a frontrunner given his form for the premiers and understanding with clubmates Brian To'o, Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary.
Brisbane's Kotoni Staggs and Canterbury's Matt Burton are other potential newcomers for Blues coach Brad Fittler while Canberra's Jack Wighton and Parramatta captain Clint Gutherson have both played in the centres for NSW at Origin level in the past.
More immediately, South Sydney will most likely turn to Blake Taafe to fill-in for Mitchell just as he did during last year's run to the grand final following Mitchell's season-ending suspension for a hit on Sydney Roosters' Joseph Manu.
Taafe made his own return from an ankle injury off the bench against the Dragons when Mitchell limped off and is almost certain to start in Friday's clash against the Bulldogs.
"Last year caught me off guard a bit," Taaffe said after the Dragons win.
"I think knowing the standard I have to play week in week out (will help a lot). Just my effort areas around the ball."
Farah also confirmed forward Mark Nicholls' surgery on his ankle syndesmosis injury had gone well and the prop is expected to be sidelined for eight to 10 weeks.
"He's got a lot of hard work ahead of him," Farah said.
Australian Associated Press
