NSW halfback Nathan Cleary could miss the entire State of Origin series after scans confirmed a grade two hamstring injury that will sideline him for eight weeks.
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The champion Penrith playmaker re-injured his right hamstring in Penrith's 16-10 win over Canterbury on Friday night in a devastating blow for the Blues, who have a number of key players sidelined through injury.
Cleary left the field just before half-time after hurting the hamstring for a second time is as many months, with the Panthers issuing a statement on Sunday confirming the diagnosis.
"Scans revealed a grade 2 hamstring tear which will see Cleary ruled out for eight weeks," the club said in a statement.
It means Cleary is set to miss Origin I at Accor Stadium in Sydney on June 5 and the second game at the MCG on June 26 while he's no certainty to be available for game three in Brisbane on July 17.
Cleary would have been a certain selection for new NSW coach Michael Maguire, while another Blues halves option Nicho Hynes sat out Cronulla's win over Melbourne on Saturday night with a calf injury.
The Sharks said it was more of a precautionary move and they were hopeful he would be available for their Magic Round clash with the Sydney Roosters on Saturday night in Brisbane.
"We haven't had a great deal of time to assess it but I'd suggest it's not significant though so he's a good chance (for next week)," Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said post-match.
Mitch Moses would ordinarily be the frontrunner to replace two-time Clive Churchill medallist Cleary, but the Parramatta playmaker has his own injury woes.
Moses may return from a foot injury against Melbourne next Sunday, but is far from a certainty to play.
Meanwhile, Manly and Blues backline gun Tom Trbojevic is also expected to be unavailable for seven weeks with a hamstring injury.
Australian Associated Press
