Mal Meninga and South Sydney cop Cameron Murray blow ahead of Pacific Championship final

Mal Meninga has been dealt a huge blow with second-rower Cameron Murray expected to be ruled out of the Pacific Championship final after suffering a wrist-injury in Australia's win over New Zealand. Murray has been a mainstay for Meninga's 13 for a number of years and has been stellar alongside fellow second-rower Angus Crichton in the two wins against Tonga and New Zealand.

Murray was one of Australia's best forwards against Tonga having made a linebreak, forced a dropout and made a game-high 44 tackles in the 18-0 win. Murray followed up his defensive efforts against Tonga with 51 tackles against New Zealand on the weekend.

His work ethic has been a cornerstone of Meninga's Kangaroos team, but Channel Nine reporter Danny Weidler claimed the back-rower won't take part in the final as Australia wait to find out who they face in the showdown. Hudson Young will most likely move into the vacant second-row position having come off the bench in the previous two games for the No.12.

While Murray is a big loss for Australia ahead of the final, it could be an even bigger loss for South Sydney. While it is unlikely Murray is facing much time out, it could delay his return to pre-season training under new coach Wayne Bennett.

NRL Physio Brien Seeney claimed it would be unlikely Murray would miss any games for the Rabbitohs - with plenty of time to recover ahead of the season - even with a serious wrist injury. This is a strong sign for South Sydney with the likes of Latrell Mitchell already looking to start the 2025 season on the right foot.

Mal Meninga to reshuffle pack after Murray setback

Meninga will be forced to make changes to his team for the first time in the Pacific Championship having kept the same 17 in the two group games. In the first game against Tonga, Matt Burton and Young didn't enter the game until the very end of the match, which also raised eyebrows. Young entered in the 68th minute in the second-row, while Burton was introduced as lock with Reuben Cotter filling in at No.9 for Harry Grant.

Against New Zealand, Burton had less minutes at the end of the game with Grant playing the full 80 in a player-of-the-match performance. But with Young most likely moving into the starting side, Meninga will be looking for another second-rower for the bench.

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Lindsey Smith could enter the bench in the final if Young is promoted to the starting side. In the decider, to see who plays Australia in the final, Tonga will be missing in-form forward Keaon Koloamatangi. The South Sydney forward has opted to step back from the clash this weekend against New Zealand with his wife expecting the birth of their child.