Latrell Mitchell has been ruled out of the State of Origin decider with a calf injury in a major blow to NSW's hopes of winning the series against the odds.
The South Sydney talisman suffered the fresh injury at training on Monday, just as he had been hoping to return from the back issue that had sidelined him since round nine.
Scans confirmed a calf tear that will rule Mitchell out of contention for Origin III at Suncorp Stadium on July 8, and extend his time on the sidelines by at least a few weeks.
Mitchell had been hopeful of facing Parramatta on Thursday night in the Rabbitohs' last game before teams are picked for Origin III.
But his unavailability is another blow for a Blues team fighting to recover from a 44-24 humiliation in the second game of the series.
