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Cameron Murray (rugby league)

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Cam Murray
Personal information
Full nameCameron Murray
Born (1998-01-16) 16 January 1998 (age 26)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height184 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight96 kg (15 st 2 lb)
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2017– South Sydney 161 35 0 0 140
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2019–24 New South Wales 14 1 0 0 4
2019–24 Australia 10 7 0 0 28
2023 Prime Minister's XIII 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]
As of 24 August 2024

Cameron Murray (born 16 January 1998)[1] is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a lock forward and captains the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the NRL.

He has also represented New South Wales and Australia at international level.

Early life

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Murray was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Murray played his junior rugby league for the Mascot Jets, before being signed by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. He attended Newington College,[3] sitting his HSC in 2015. Academically, Murray performed well, achieving 1st place in the college in Earth and Environment Science, with a Band 6 (raw mark of 91).[4] He was captain of Newington's GPS Championship Winning 1st XV Rugby team that same year.[5] In his final year at the college he turned down captaincy of the Under-18 NSW State of Origin side in favour of playing for his school.[6]

Cameron's father, Corey Murray, made 12 appearances for South Sydney in the early 1990s.[7]

Playing career

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2016

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In October 2015, Murray re-signed with South Sydney on a four-year contract until the end of 2019.[8] Late in 2015, he played for the Australian Schoolboys.[9] In 2016, he played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs' NYC team.[10] He also featured for the Rabbitohs' Intrust Super Premiership NSW team, North Sydney Bears in 2016, playing a total of six games and scoring one try.

Murray playing for the Rabbitohs in 2016

On June 22, Murray captained the NSW Blues Under-18 side as they defeated Queensland 26-0 at Suncorp Stadium.[11]

2017

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Murray started off 2017 by playing in the Intrust Super Premiership NSW for North Sydney.

Murray with the North Sydney Bears in 2017

In May, he was selected to start at lock for the Junior Kangaroos team to play the Junior Kiwis.[12]

In round 8 of the 2017 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for South Sydney off the bench against the Brisbane Broncos in round 8.[13][14] Murray was named captain of the NSW Blues U20 side in May and playing in the 2nd row, as NSW defeated Queensland 30-16.[15][16]

Murray went on to play 9 NRL matches in 2017, scoring his maiden try in round 24 against the New Zealand Warriors.[17] He was named the club's rookie of the year at season's end.[18]

2018

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Murray was key part of the South Sydney side which finished third in 2018, often starting the game on the bench. In week one of the finals against the Melbourne Storm, Murray scored what seemed to be the game winning try, before a late try and field goal to the Storm handed Souths a 29–28 loss.[19]

In week 2 of the finals against the St. George-Illawarra Dragons, Murray stripped the ball from Leeson Ah Mau with South Sydney trailing by a point with just over three minutes remaining. Adam Reynolds then kicked two field goals as South Sydney won 13-12.[20] South Sydney were knocked out in the preliminary final, losing 12-4 to the Sydney Roosters.[21][22][23]

Despite coming off the bench for majority of the season, Murray was regarded as one of South Sydney's best performers and was lauded for his quick play-the-ball speed setting up attacking opportunities for his teammates.[20]

2019

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In 2019, Murray was named as starting lock, with new coach Wayne Bennett moving captain Sam Burgess to the second row to accommodate for Murray. He started off 2019 in strong form as Souths won 10 of their first 11 games. Murray earned his first representative honour as he was selected to play for the New South Wales Blues by coach Brad Fittler.[24] He played in all three matches for NSW in the 2019 State of Origin series as the Blues won the series 2–1.[25][26]

At the end of the 2019 regular season, Souths finished third on the table and qualified for the finals. In the elimination final against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Murray scored two crucial tries as Souths won the game 32–26 at ANZ Stadium.[27] Murray featured in the club's preliminary final match against the Canberra Raiders the following week which Souths lost 16–10 at Canberra Stadium.[28]

On 2 October, Murray was named as the 2019 Dally M lock of the year at the Dally M Awards ceremony.[29] In addition, Murray received the Rabbitohs Jack Rayner's Players' Player award as judged by his teammates.[30]

On 7 October, Murray was named in the Australian side for the Oceania Cup fixtures[31] and made his Test debut on 2 November against Tonga, who won 16-12 to defeat Australia for the first time.[32]

2020

[edit]

In the 2020 NRL season, Murray was moved by Bennett to the starting 2nd row position to replace John Sutton and Burgess, who both retired before the season began. Murray often played the opening minutes of the match on the edge before shifting back to his traditional lock spot, in an attempt to increase his output by reducing his workload in the opening exchanges of the match. This move was short-lived however, with Murray reverting to the number 13 jersey by round 5.[33]

Murray played 23 games for Souths in 2020 as the club reached their third straight preliminary final but fell short of a grand final appearance once again, losing 20-16 to the Penrith Panthers.[34]

Murray was selected for NSW for the 2020 State of Origin series commencing in November, however he suffered a hamstring injury after playing just four minutes of the opening game in Adelaide and was then ruled out for the remainder of the series.[35]

2021

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In the round 8 match against the Canberra Raiders, Murray suffered a grade two syndesmosis injury and was ruled out for four weeks.[36] Despite this, he was selected for game one of the 2021 State of Origin series.[37] Murray played all three matches for NSW, starting in the second row, as the Blues claimed a 2–1 series win.

Murray played a total of 20 games for South Sydney in 2021, including the club's grand final defeat against the Panthers.[38] On 18 December 2021, Murray was named captain of the South Sydney club by new coach Jason Demetriou after the departure of Adam Reynolds to Brisbane.[39]

2022

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On 29 May, Murray was selected by New South Wales to play in game one of the 2022 State of Origin series. Murray played in all three games as New South Wales lost the series 2-1.[40]

Murray played 23 games for South Sydney in the 2022 NRL season including all three of the clubs finals matches as they reached the preliminary final for a fifth straight season. Souths would lose in the preliminary final to eventual premiers Penrith 32-12.[41]

In October, he was named in the Australia squad for the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.[42] Murray played for Australia in their 2021 Rugby League World Cup final victory over Samoa, scoring a try during Australia's 30-10 victory.[43]

In November, he was named in the 2021 RLWC Team of the Tournament.[44]

2023

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On 22 May, Murray was selected by New South Wales for game one of the 2023 State of Origin series. Murray played in all three games as New South Wales lost the series 2-1.[45] On 31 August, Murray signed a five-year contract extension to remain at South Sydney until the end of 2028.[46] Murray played a total of 21 games for Souths in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished 9th on the table and missed the finals.[47]

Murray was selected in the Australian side for the 2023 Pacific Championships, and scored a try in both of Australia's pre-final matches to equal a record seven tries in six consecutive tests by an Australian forward set by Ron Coote in 1968-69.[48]

2024

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Following South Sydney's round 9 loss against Penrith, it was announced that Murray would be ruled out for 6-8 weeks with a hip flexor injury.[49] On 16 June, Murray was selected by New South Wales for game two of the 2024 State of Origin series after only playing one match following his return from injury for South Sydney.[50] In game three of the 2024 State of Origin series, Murray became the first player to be sin binned from the interchange bench when he jumped into an altercation between other players that had spilled over the field of play. Murray was later suspended for two games over the incident.[51] Murray played 14 games for South Sydney in the 2024 NRL season as the club endured a difficult campaign finishing second bottom on the table.[52]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Cameron Murray - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  2. ^ "State of Origin 2021: Cameron Murray to make most of NSW blues return against QLD Maroons". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  3. ^ RA & the private schoolboy image ABC News 14 June 2023
  4. ^ "2015 Newington College Results Magazine" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 28 February 2017.
  5. ^ Newington Alumni News Retrieved 19 July 2017.
  6. ^ Murray Leads Young Blues to Victory in Under 18s Origin Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  7. ^ "Crichton 2.0: Murray knocked back Waratahs for Souths". National Rugby League. 6 September 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  8. ^ Rabbitohs.com.au (7 October 2015). "Rabbitohs sign two more". Zero Tackle. Archived from the original on 18 May 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Australian Schoolboys rugby league team named". NRL.com. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  10. ^ "M". Nyc Database. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  11. ^ "Murray Leads Young Blues to Victory in Under 18s Origin". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  12. ^ "TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT | Junior Kangaroos". New South Wales Rugby League. 1 May 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  13. ^ "Updated team lists: Rabbitohs v Broncos". NRL.com. 18 December 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  14. ^ NRL Digital Media. "LATE MAIL: Round 8, 2017". Rabbitohs. Archived from the original on 22 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  15. ^ "Captain Cam To Lead From The Front". New South Wales Rugby League. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  16. ^ "QLD U20s v NSW U20s". National Rugby League. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  17. ^ "Rabbitohs v Warriors". National Rugby League. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  18. ^ "Murray Wins John Sattler Rookie of the Year Award". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 6 October 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  19. ^ "Re-live: Storm edge Souths in thrilling shootout". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  20. ^ a b "Bench press: Murray eager for starting role". National Rugby League. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  21. ^ "NRL finals: South Sydney Rabbitoh Cameron Murray's rapid rise to the top". www.sportingnews.com. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  22. ^ "NRL Preliminary Final | Sydney Roosters defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 12-4". NewsComAu. 22 September 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  23. ^ "Bench press: Murray eager for starting role". National Rugby League. 16 September 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
  24. ^ "Phil Gould says NSW Origin rookie Cameron Murray has NRL's quickest play-the-ball". WWOS.
  25. ^ "Emotional Blues legend Wayne Pearce opens up on his son Mitchell's battle". www.news.com.au.
  26. ^ "New South Wales beat Queensland to win back-to-back series". BBC.
  27. ^ "Rabbitohs dig deep to eliminate Sea Eagles in finals thriller". NRL.
  28. ^ "Canberra Raiders end 25-year wait to reach NRL grand final with victory over Rabbitohs". The Guardian.
  29. ^ "Tedesco tops list of 2019 Dally M award winners". NRL.
  30. ^ "Cameron Murray has been awarded the Jack Rayner Players' Player Award for 2019". South Sydney Rabbitohs. 11 October 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  31. ^ "Cameron Murray rewarded with Kangaroos debut". National Rugby League. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  32. ^ "Tonga Invitational v Australia". National Rugby League. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  33. ^ "Revealed: The stats that prove the Murray experiment wasn't working". Fox Sports. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
  34. ^ "Penrith Panthers beat South Sydney Rabbitohs 20-16 to set up NRL grand final against Melbourne Storm". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  35. ^ "Cameron Murray ruled out of Origin series". ESPN.com. 5 November 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2021.
  36. ^ "Melbourne Storm embarrass South Sydney Rabbitohs 50-0 as Josh Addo-Carr crosses for six tries". www.abc.net.au.
  37. ^ "NSW Origin team: Luai gets nod for Freddie's fresh-faced Blues". www.nrl.com.
  38. ^ "One of finest NRL grand finals of all time provides cure to difficult season". www.theguardian.com.
  39. ^ "Former South Sydney junior Cameron Murray named new Rabbitohs captain". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
  40. ^ "Wighton starts at centre as Blues confirm lineup for Game One". www.nrl.com.
  41. ^ "Penrith Panthers defeat South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-12 to qualify for third straight NRL grand final". www.abc.net.au.
  42. ^ Full list of every squad at the Rugby League World Cup 2021
  43. ^ "Australia 30-10 Samoa: Rugby League World Cup final – as it happened". www.theguardian.com.
  44. ^ Samoan domination as unlikely halfback earns No.7 jersey: WC Team of the Tournament
  45. ^ "Graham ruled out for Blues, trio to debut as Fittler makes 'gamble'". www.nrl.com.
  46. ^ "Under-fire Rabbitohs get huge boost as Cameron Murray re-signs". wwos.nine.com.au.
  47. ^ "'Absolute madness': Potential Latrell switch slammed as a 'band aid' for broken Bunnies". www.foxsports.com.au.
  48. ^ "Cam Murray's five tries in five Tests". Sydney Morning Herald. 26 October 2023. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
  49. ^ "Souths' backline crisis amid injury blow: Broncos' bold gamble on bolters: Teams chat LIVE". www.foxsports.com.au.
  50. ^ "Maroons pick Walsh as Mitchell gets Blues recall". www.theguardian.com.
  51. ^ "Eels' worst fears; image Kevvie won't want to see in Broncos' brutal Origin blow — Late Mail". www.foxsports.com.au.
  52. ^ "The Mole's end of season review: What went wrong at the South Sydney Rabbitohs?". www.nine.com.au.
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