Cameron Murray in ugly NRL loophole drama as Mal Meninga set for huge Kangaroos call

NRL fans could take exception to a controversial Kangaroos move with reports Mal Meninga and officials will request Cameron Murray serve the last game of his suspension for the PM's XIII. Murray found himself at the centre of the Bunker drama on the weekend when he was handed 10 minutes in the bin for a brutal high-tackle on Tyson Frizell in the Rabbitohs' loss on Saturday.

Murray copped a two-game suspension for the tackle, but the Rabbitohs opted to fight the ban with little to lose since he was already missing the remainder of the season as it stood. Murray's suspension was then upgraded to three games to end his season after a failed attempt to overturn the ban at the judiciary.

The South Sydney captain will miss the remaining two fixtures for his club, but where he serves his final game of the ban remains up for debate. Initially, it was believed Murray would miss the first international against Tonga so he could be available for the New Zealand showdown.

However, in a twist, Kangaroos officials are reportedly keen for Murray to serve the ban in the PM's XIII clash. There has been no official confirmation of a PM's XIII game, but it is expected to take place before the Kangaroos squad meet.

Last year, Meninga used the PM's XIII fixture as a warm-up game for many of the players to be included in the Kangaroos squad for the Pacific Championship. The Rabbitohs were already out of finals and Murray used the clash for match fitness.

And The Sydney Morning Herald reported Meninga is keen for Murray to serve the last game of his suspension in this year's fixture. Meninga will reportedly write to NRL judiciary chairman Justice Geoff Bellew to request the inclusion of the PM XIII's game in Murray's ban.

While this could be accepted, fans may not see kindly to the request with controversy surrounding whether international games should count towards a NRL ban. Last year, Roosters enforcer Jared Waerea-Hargreaves wanted to use the international matches as part of his ban. Although his request was rejected and the Roosters forward missed the opening round of the NRL.

Murray might be frustrated with the ban with the likes of Stephen Crichton only copping a one-game suspension after his high-shot on Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the weekend. Another controversial incident was Haumole Olakau’atu's high-tackle on Thursday night. The Manly second-rower managed to escape with a fine for his tackle.

Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell miss Rabbitohs games

South Sydney have endured a tough 2024 campaign and neither Murray or fellow superstar Latrell Mitchell will be there for the final two games of the season. Mitchell has been out injured with a foot injury, which ruled him out for the remainder of the season.

However, the NRL slapped Mitchell with a one-game suspension, a $20,000 fine and a requirement for him to undertake education and training as advised by the NRL Wellbeing and Education Department following the leaked photo scandal. And on Thursday, the Rabbitohs confirmed they had also hit the 27-year-old with a $100,000 fine - $20,000 of which is payable immediately and $80,000 suspended pending any further breach of his playing contract or wellbeing program.

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Unfortunately for Mitchell, it appears he will not serve the suspension for the Kangaroos after coach Meninga claimed he wasn't in line for selection. “At this stage we’re unsure where Latrell is. But I don’t think he has probably played enough games and in a good headspace to be in contention,” Meninga said over Mitchell's potential participation in the end of year international schedule. This means Mitchell will most likely serve his one-game ban at the start of the 2025 season.