League: Minichiello to miss Origin

Sydney Roosters full-back Anthony Minichiello has been ruled out of the upcoming State of Origin series through injury.

Minichiello, the incumbent New South Wales full-back, will undergo back surgery on Tuesday and will be sidelined for up to eight weeks.

The surgery is expected to repair the herniated disc that has caused Minichiello hamstring troubles, which forced him to miss the Roosters' past three matches as well as Australia's one-off Test with New Zealand last Friday night in Brisbane.

The opening State of Origin match will be played at Sydney's Olympic stadium on May 24.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA