Country Origin captain Danny Buderus has been ruled out of the City Country clash in Mudgee on Sunday through injury.

The Newcastle hooker has been replaced in the starting line-up by Melbourne utility Ryan Hinchcliffe, with Canberra’s Josh McCrone brought onto the bench.

Buderus’ club coach Wayne Bennett had called on Country selectors to rest the 34-year-old from the match and Country officials expressed concern on Sunday that the NSW Origin veteran wouldn’t show up to camp.

It’s yet to be explained what Buderus’ injury is.