Fresh twist in Cameron Murray's ban for South Sydney as Nicho Hynes on verge of stunning Sharks return

South Sydney Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray could be set to use a NRL loophole and use a Kangaroos game to serve part of his three-game ban in 2024, while Sharks talisman Nicho Hynes is looming for a return before finals footy. Murray was looking to downgrade his ban from two games to none after he was suspended for a head-high tackle on Tyson Frizell on Saturday.

With only two games left for the Rabbitohs in the2 season the club opted to fight the suspension. Unfortunately for Murray, the plea was unsuccessful and Murray's ban was upgraded to three games. hit with a grade two careless tackle and hit with a two game NRL ban.2

With only two games left for the Rabbitohs in the 2024 season the club opted to fight the suspension. Unfortunately for Murray, the plea was unsuccessful and Murray's ban was upgraded to three games.

This means Murray will now miss the remaining two games of the season for the Rabbitohs against the Panthers and the local derby against the Roosters. "Very difficult to walk away with a win at the judiciary at the moment...unsuccessful night at the judiciary and sort of sums up the Rabbitohs season," Michael Chammas said on SEN Radio on Wednesday morning.

However, Greg Alexander and Andrew Voss noted while the initial news suggests the Rabbitohs back-rower could miss the first game of the 2025 season, Murray might find himself lining-up in round one. Murray is a near certainty to be selected for the Kangaroos squad at the end of the year when Mal Meninga selects his side.

And Murray could well be selected and serve the first game of his ban against Tonga while in the squad, before returning for the green and gold against New Zealand. This would be a huge win for the Rabbitohs, which would see Murray only miss two NRL games this year in a season that has already been a disappointment for the club.

Murray could find himself 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.

Nicho Hynes looming for round 26 return

While Murray is set to miss the remainder of the season, Sharks halfback Hynes could be set for a return. Sharks fans were left stunned when Hynes went down during training with a serious leg injury after round 18.

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Despite his absence, the Sharks have jumped into third place and have locked up an NRL finals position. And in a huge boost Hynes has been listed as a reserve against the Warriors on Saturday night. This could see him come in for Daniel Atkinson who has done a stellar job to keep them in the top four. The Sharks could also welcome back a host of stars including Sione Katoa and Siosifa Talakai. Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee) remains out.

While the Sharks are welcoming back stars, Craig Bellamy has controversially opted to rest 11 players from the minor premiers. Jahrome Hughes, Harry Grant, Nelson Asofa-Solomona and their edge forwards will not make the trip to Townsville after a short five-day turnaround.

Although Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster will play alongside Grant Anderson who has surprisingly been named at halfback. Storm legend Cameron Smith was one former player to defend Bellamy's right to rest a host of players.