NSW hopeful Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of the State of Origin decider with a calf injury.
The South Sydney talisman has been sidelined since round nine with a back issue, but returned to training over the weekend, sparking hopes he'd be fit for the Rabbitohs' match against Parramatta on Thursday night, and for Origin III.
But Souths coach Wayne Bennett on Tuesday said Mitchell's new calf injury - stemming from his back ailment - had put the 29-year-old out of both games at least.
"He's done his calf muscle," Bennett told reporters.
"It's coming from his lower back. It will be a couple of weeks. He was warming up this morning and he felt a bit of soreness there.
"No-one is to blame. He's definitely out of Origin."
