NRL injury update: More woe for Dolphins, Ponga tipped to play

April 16, 2024 12:06 pm.by Jack Hudson

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The 2024 NRL Premiership season drama continues with injuries, sanctions, and suspensions across the league. Let’s check out all the latest injury and concussion news.

NRL R6 injury news

The Newcastle Knights will breathe a sigh of relief after Kalyn Ponga picked up what appeared to be a hip-pointer injury in their two-point loss to the Roosters on Thursday night. He appeared to receive pain relief for the injury at half-time before returning to the field, and he is expected to be named for the club’s match against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.

The Dolphins’ horror run of injuries continued on Friday night in their 14-point loss to the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has suffered a grade two hamstring strain and will spend up to six weeks on the sidelines with star off-season recruits Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth.

Former Tiger and Cowboy Luciano Leilua was a late withdrawal from the St George Illawarra Dragons side that went on to beat the Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium. Leilua has suffered a calf strain with no indication made yet on the severity of the issue or expected recovery time.

Manly Sea Eagles forward Ben Trbojevic left in the 65th minute of his side’s draw with the New Zealand Warriors at Go Media Stadium in Auckland with a hamstring injury. The injury appeared to occur in his left leg, where Trbojevic had three injuries last season that limited him to 12 games.

NZ Warriors forward Jazz Tevaga is expected to miss at least four weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in the same game. The club is yet to confirm the severity of the issue; however, he required assistance to leave the field at half-time, which is not a positive sign.

South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Tyrone Munro left the field with a suspected fractured collarbone in the side’s 12-point loss to the Sharks at Accor Stadium. While there has been no confirmation from the club on the injury, the concern for the teenage sensation is that he fractured his collarbone just nine weeks ago.

Tevita Tatola also left the field early and was spotted on a moon boot after suffering a suspected syndesmosis injury.

Zac Hosking’s run of injuries to start his career at the Canberra Raiders has worsened following a dislocated shoulder in their golden-point win over the Titans at GIO Stadium. The best-case scenario with minimal damage is no more than six weeks, but significant damage and reconstructive surgery could keep him out of the game for upwards of three months.

Gold Coast Titans fullback Jayden Campbell appeared to suffer an injury to his left knee, which was heavily strapped. There have been suggestions this injury was carried into the game.

NRL R6 HIA results

The Storm’s Alec Macdonald, Dolphins’ Jesse Bromwich, Raiders’ Zac Hosking, and Rabbitohs’ Jacob Host and Jye Gray all underwent and passed head-injury assessments over the weekend.

Sydney Roosters forward Sitili Tupouniua failed to return to his match against the Knights after showing symptoms of a category one concussion. It is his fourth failed HIA in four years.

Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray also failed his HIA in the match against the Sharks and will be subject to the mandatory 11-day standdown period. Murray has a lengthy history of concussion for the Rabbitohs and New South Wales Blues.

Sea Eagles hooker Lachlan Croker was controversially removed from the field by the independent doctor in the draw with the Warriors. The Manly doctor confirmed concussion tests on the field had been passed and the concern was in fact for Croker’s shoulder.

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