Scans reveal full extent of Kieran Foran’s shoulder injury
Kieran Foran’s career hangs in the balance after scans revealed the full extent of the shocking shoulder injury the playmaker sustained in New Zealand’s win over Great Britain.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A defiant Bulldogs star Kieran Foran has vowed to continue his NRL career despite X-rays revealing the shattering news he requires a shoulder reconstruction and will be sidelined for at least six months.
The 29-year-old playmaker is refusing to even discuss retirement and is determined to make it back for the Bulldogs around May next year in the best-case scenario.
He will undergo surgery on Thursday. Foran was hurt in a tackle on Great Britain front-rower James Graham in the Test match in New Zealand on Saturday.
“The surgeon won’t know the full extent of the damage until they go inside,” Foran said.
Stream the 2019 Oceania Cup Live & On-Demand on KAYO SPORTS. Get your 14 day free trial and start streaming instantly >
“It could be six months or longer if they find more problems. They’ll open it up, have a good look and decide what to do.”
He told The Daily Telegraph he would cancel his off-season holiday plans to work on his recovery.
“Mate, there’s no way in the world I’m going to quit football,” he said.
“This is the worst news possible but I’d prepared myself for it and I’m in a much better headspace than last time when it happened to me.
“I’m going to fight on. I’m 29 and I’ve always thought I had another three years in me. I owe it to the Bulldogs to make it back next year.”
It is the same shoulder that required surgery in 2016. It is a particularly hard blow in that Foran’s million-dollar contract is up at the end of the season.
He played outstanding football at the back end of the season to earn a recall to the New Zealand Test side.
“My only focus is to get back into rehab,” he said.
“I don’t want this to be the end for me.
“I still feel like I’ve got great footy in me and that’s the most frustrating thing.
“I’ll put in the work and I’ll make the sacrifices.”
The news is a shocking blow to the Bulldogs’ hopes next season.
Foran has averaged only 13 games per season over the last four years at the Parramatta Eels, the Warriors and the Bulldogs.
Originally published as Scans reveal full extent of Kieran Foran’s shoulder injury