NRL casualty ward: Round 1 2020
NRL injury lists are complicated enough without players getting tested for coronavirus, while Wests Tigers have taken a hit. Full Round 1 update here.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Wests Tigers have suffered a huge blow with star halfback Luke Brooks expected to be sidelined for up to a month with a calf strain.
Brooks was ruled out of Sunday night’s opening clash against St George Illawarra after going down with the injury in the final five minutes of Saturday’s captain’s run. While Josh Reynolds has been called up as Brooks’ immediate replacement, the club is still trying to secure a deal with young Melbourne hooker Harry Grant in a swap deal with centre Paul Momirovski.
That deal is expected to be finalised in the coming week. Billy Walters got the jump on Reynolds to start the season at hooker. But if Grant was to secure his release and get the starting dummy half role, it could potentially push Walters into the halves.
— Paul Crawley
Cronulla fullback Matt Moylan isn’t expected back for the Sharks until Round 5 or 6 as he continues rehab on a calf strain.
The injury is to the same calf he injured before Christmas, with muscle strain aggravations almost always requiring a longer recovery. Calf strains usually have a moderate re-injury rate, so the Sharks will no doubt play it safe.
Angus Crichton (pneumonia) and Bronson Xerri (flu-like symptoms) have both been given the all-clear after precautionary tests for COVID-19 returned negative results. Both players are expected to return to training on Monday and be available for their respective Round 2 games.
Sitili Tupouniua failed to finish the Roosters Round 1 clash after suffering a knee injury. Post-match coach Trent Robinson indicated the initial diagnosis was a medial knee injury. Scans will confirm the severity of the injury and rule out damage to any further knee structures (such as ACL/meniscus). General recovery guide for MCL sprains:
Grade 1: 1-3 weeks
Grade 2: 3-6 weeks
Grade 3: 6-10 weeks
Sitili Tupouniua off with a left knee injury. Contact from teammate during tackle, by video hope for more MCL/meniscus injury with knee rotation/medial collapse but ACL also at risk in these situations. Fingers crossed for him #NRLPanthersRoosters pic.twitter.com/Ju14tihwzF
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 14, 2020
Viliame Kikau left the field briefly for the Panthers after feeling a crack in his shoulder during a tackle, causing his arm to go numb. Thankfully this appeared to be more a stinger/burner and he was able to return for the second half. The Panthers also lost Zane Tetavano also picked up a knee injury in this match, with some concern over the MCL.
Viliame Kikau off with R shoulder injury. Thankfully more burner/stinger/cuff contusion, causes temporary weakness/pain but should return 2nd half. Worst case in these situations: AC joint injury/fracture (scapula/collarbone), but appears to have avoided this #NRLPanthersRoosters pic.twitter.com/7CQvTSHWjm
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 14, 2020
Mikaele Ravalawa left the field for the Dragons after a suspected cork, but it appears he may have suffered a strained thigh muscle.
Mikaele Ravalawa went off with a L thigh injury. Initially thought to be a cork; video brings more concern for muscle strain leaping in attempt to score. Severity of strain always difficult to tell via video, but some concern for at least moderate grade strain (3+wks recovery) pic.twitter.com/Q5VaTeBtzS
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 15, 2020
AJ Brimson missed Round 1, and still could miss several more weeks, as he deals with a stress fracture in his spine. This is a minor fracture which is usually caused by overuse and repeated activity that puts pressure on the spine.
It is an injury that is much more commonly seen in cricket fast bowlers, with the repetitive forces from bowling placing excessive strain on the spine.
Treatment usually involves rest from high impact/repetitive activities to allow the bones time to heal, along with a comprehensive rehab program.
This is an injury that does not have a concrete recovery time; rehab progress and return to play will be heavily based on Brimson’s symptoms. These symptoms will be monitored very closely along with follow up scans to ensure the fracture is healing.
Some past examples of recovery times in the NRL from spinal stress fractures show this variability:
Dylan Brown: 13 weeks
Josh Mansour: 2 weeks
Thankfully recovery is usually measured in weeks rather than months, but with Brimson still so young full recovery will no doubt be the top priority.
âœ‰ï¸ UPDATED LATE MAIL ✉ï¸
— Tom Sangster (@TomSangsterSC) March 15, 2020
âš« Jake Trbojevic and Addin-Fonua-Blake confirmed
âš« Cheapie big winner from Luke Brooks injury
âš« Josh Kerr set to playhttps://t.co/8AAexngzXH pic.twitter.com/0KAIlO2rR4
Kurt Capewell will miss at least the next few weeks for the Panthers after a recurrence of the quad strain he initially suffered before Christmas. Rehab for a re-aggravation strain is often lengthier, with Capewell listed out for an indefinite period.
Another re-aggravation injury with Alex Glenn having a setback during his rehab running from a hamstring strain. The setback cost him a place in the Broncos Round 1 side, and he may also miss a few weeks in an effort to reduce the risk of re-injury.
Boyd Cordner missed the World Club Challenge and Round 1 as the Roosters look to manage his workload ahead of a long season. Cordner could be required to play upwards of 30 games this year, and effective workload monitoring is very important in these cases.
There is a good relationship between poor loading practices and high injury risk. Cordner has dealt with chronic knee injury issues (cartilage) in recent years so this is a decision made with Cordner’s mid-to-long term fitness in mind.
Devastating news this week with Jack Bird suffering the sixth ACL rupture of the season in the NRL. Named as the Broncos fullback role for Round 1 in his return from a left ACL reconstruction in 2019, Bird went down in a non-contact situation at training clutching at the same knee. Scans confirmed a rupture of the ACL graft, with reconstruction surgery and an 8+ month recovery the likely treatment option.
JUDICIARY REPORT
Brisbane’s forward stocks have taken another hit with Tevita Pangai accepting a four-game NRL ban for dangerous contact, while Penrith’s Jack Hetherington faces two weeks on the sidelines for an ugly tackle.
Cronulla lock Jack Williams was also hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge for contact on South Sydney’s Cameron Murray, and will escape suspension with an early guilty plea.
Rabbitohs centre Braidon Burns will also avoid suspension with an early guilty plea for a grade one dangerous throw on Jesse Ramien.
FULL CASUALTY WARD
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Jack Bird (ACL, season)
Tevita Pangai (Suspension, Round 6)
Alex Glenn (Hamstring, Indefinite)
Matt Lodge (Partial ACL tear, Indefinite)
Jordan Kahu (Shoulder, Mid-season)
Sean O’Sullivan (ACL, Mid-season)
Keenan Palasia (ACL, Late-season)
Joe Ofahengaue (Disciplinary suspension, Round 3)
Izaia Perese (Stood down)
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Marcelo Montoya (Knee, Round 4)
Chris Smith (knee, round 11)
Kieran Foran (Shoulder, Indefinite)
Kieran Foran is aiming to return in Rd15 this season (via @mrchrisnico), would be a ~ 7 month return to play after rotator cuff repair surgery (which followed a shoulder reconstruction). Was always optimism he could recover quicker than initial 9+ month expectation, good to see pic.twitter.com/nzk1qC2jl7
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) January 16, 2020
NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Justin O’Neill (Concussion, TBC)
Josh McGuire (Suspension/knee, Round 2)
Justin O’Neill is back at skills training and controlled contact after suffering a ruptured spleen in Round 11. The Cowboys centre suffered a fractured rib which lacerated his spleen during the game. Expected to be fit for Round 1 next season pic.twitter.com/StUvgULz4k
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) December 5, 2019
ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Matt Dufty (Cheekbone, Round 2)
Korbin Sims (Arm, Round 5)
Cameron McInnes (Knee, Round 2)
Jack de Belin (Stood down)
Mikaele Ravalawa (thigh, TBA)
PARRAMATTA EELS
No injuries
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Tautau Moga (Hamstring, Round 2)
Phoenix Crossland (Groin, Round 4)
Bradman Best (Fractured foot, Round 4)
Sione Mata’utia (Knee, Round 3-4)
PENRITH PANTHERS
Zane Tetevano (Knee, TBC)
Dylan Edwards (Ankle, Round 3)
Kurt Capewell (Quad strain, Indefinite)
Mitch Kenny (Elbow, Round 3)
Dean Blore (Shoulder, Round 6)
Soni Luke (Pectoral, April)
Shaun Blore (ACL, April-May)
Brayden McGrady (ACL, April-May)
SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS
Patrick Mago (Pectoral, Round 12)
CANBERRA RAIDERS
Ryan Sutton (Suspension, Round 2)
Hudson Young (Suspension, Round 6)
John Bateman (Shoulder, round 6-7)
Sebastian Kris (extended leave)
Raiders forward @johnbateman1 will miss the opening rounds of the 2020 season following recent shoulder surgery.
— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) February 26, 2020
Injury Update thanks to @BlumersLawyers https://t.co/XhspeBj8fh
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Sitili Tupouniua (Knee, TBC)
Matt Ikuvalu (Concussion, TBC)
Angus Crichton (Chest infection, Round 2)
Ryan Hall (Knee, Round 2)
Boyd Cordner (Rested, Round 3)
Billy Smith (ACL, Season)
MANLY SEA EAGLES
Albert Hopoate (Knee, Round 8)
Jack Gosiewski (Back disc infection, Indefinite)
Manase Fainu (Stood down/shoulder, Indefinite)
Taniela Paseka (Ankle, Round 4)
CRONULLA SHARKS
Bronson Xerri (Shoulder, Round 2)
Josh Dugan (Knee, Round 3)
Matt Moylan (Calf, Round 5)
Cameron King (ACL, Season)
MELBOURNE STORM
Brandon Smith (Facial fracture, Round 3-4)
YES CHEESE! 🧀
— NRL (@NRL) February 22, 2020
Brandon Smith puts the Maori's in front 18-16 with 8 mins to go. #NRLAllStars pic.twitter.com/j8aLlxkWke
GOLD COAST TITANS
Moeaki Fotuaika (Wrist/knee, Round 2)
AJ Brimson (Back, Indefinite)
Shannon Boyd (Shoulder, Round 2)
Beau Fermor (Knee, Early-to-mid season)
Keegan Hipgrave (Repeated concussions, Indefinite)
Ryan James (ACL, Season)
NEW ZEALAND WARRIORS
Josh Curran (Calf, Round 2)
Agnatius Paasi (Ankle, Round 2)
Gerard Beale (Knee, Early rounds)
Jazz Tevaga (Ankle, Round 4)
Nathaniel Roache (Knee, Mid-season)
Jackson Frei (ACL, Season)
Bunty Afoa (ACL, Season)
Patrick Herbert and Peta Hiku (Family reasons, Indefinite)
WESTS TIGERS
Luke Brooks (Calf, Round 4)
Moses Mbye (Knee, Round 2-3)
Jacob Liddle (Knee, Indefinite)
Russell Packer (Foot, Indefinite)
Originally published as NRL casualty ward: Round 1 2020