NRL casualty ward: Latrell Mitchell hamstring injury far worse than first thought, Knights in turmoil

South Sydney Rabbitohs and the NSW Blues are reeling after scans confirmed Latrell Mitchell’s injury is far worse than first thought.

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell is expected to miss up to eight weeks with a hamstring injury in a savage blow to the Rabbitohs and NSW.

Souths confirmed on Monday afternoon that Mitchell would be sidelined for two months after he underwent scans.

The news is a setback to not only Souths, but also the Blues. It leaves NSW coach Brad Fittler searching for a new centre heading into the opening game of the State of Origin series.

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Latrell Mitchell down with a hamstring injury. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Before then, Souths will just have find a way to overcome the loss of their biggest star, the job likely to be left to young star Blake Taaffe.

Taaffe, who stepped in when Mitchell was suspended for last year’s grand final, only recently returned from an injury of his own.

South Sydney head physio Eddie Farah confirmed the hamstring tear was in the tendon rather than the muscle, which would mean a slower recovery.

“Unfortunately the MRI scan he had the next day confirmed what we expected, Farah said.

“There was a definite tear in the hamstring. The year was located in the tendon rather than the muscle.

“What that teams is recovery is going to be a lot slower. The tendon will heal slower than the muscle.”

Latrell Mitchell walks off the field injured. He is set to miss eight weeks. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Injury crisis hits Knights

Newcastle’s season is under siege, with the prospect of naming a new-look halves pairing and playing a winger who hasn’tbeen seen in 18-months due to a $3 million injury crisis.

The Knights casualty ward has ballooned to nine players with the revelation that halfback Adam Clune is in doubt ahead of a revenge match against his former club, St George-Illawarra.

Clune has a posterior cruciate ligament injury, suffered during the Knight‘s 30-6 loss to the Sea Eagles.

Adam Clune could delay surgery to help get the Knights through a difficult period.

The Knights playmaker will delay surgery in a bid to play-on through the pain.

The injury is similar to what star fullback Kalyn Ponga is dealing with, however, Clune is no guarantee to play against the Dragons on Easter Sunday.

Phoenix Crossland is the man most likely to partner Jake Clifford if Clune is ruled out.

Adding to the Knights woes is an anticipated extended stint on the sideline for winger Dominic Young (knee) and Jirah Momoisea (elbow).

The duo are awaiting the results of scans with the threat of immediate surgery ruling them out for at least a month.

Young’s omission against the Dragons will catapult Edrick Lee into the frame for his first game since October, 2020.

Lee‘s comeback would be a story of great courage after he feared his NRL career could be over due to foot fractures that left him unable to train.

The Knights are also sweating on an ankle issue for Tyson Frizell, with club officials backing the representative forward to push through the pain during the club‘s time of need.

Also unavailable for the Knights are Jayden Brailey (Achilles), David Klemmer (knee), Lachlan Fitzgibbon (knee), Mitch Barnett (suspension) and Bailey Hodgson (elbow).

Former skipper looks set for Raiders recall

Canberra veteran Jarrod Croker is in line for an NRL recall as the Raiders deal with growing injury concerns in their outside backs.

Matt Timoko (back) failed to finish the 30-16 loss to the Storm on Saturday after coming from the field at half-time while winger Jordan Rapana was placed on report and centre Semi Valemei was spotted with his hand in a sling after the match.

Jarrod Croker could benefit from Canberra’s backline turmoil.

That could pave the way for ex-skipper Croker to play his first match of the season having been overlooked so far by coach Ricky Stuart.

Croker played reserve grade again on Saturday in the lead-up to the NRL – kicking five from five as the Raiders beat Mounties 30-16.

He has not played in the NRL since round 22 last year. Croker had off-season stem cell surgery in his knee in a bid to revive his career.

Stuart said Timoko was “not real well” but said Croker had impressed in the lower grades.

“He is going very well,” Stuart said. “It’s good he is getting some full training and some games in. I have to go back and look. If there is a player I can improve that performance, I’ll bring them in.”

Stuart may also be forced to give boom youngster Xaiver Savage a shot as they face a short-turn around ahead of their clash against the Cowboys on Thursday. Outside back James Schiller played reserve grade alongside Croker after playing the opening two games of the season in the NRL. Seb Kris is also expected to be fit.

Back-rower Corey Harawira-Naera was forced to spend the second half at centre after Timoko was unable to return after being kneed in the back early in the first half.

Could Xavier Savage be about to get the call to starti8ng line-up?

Rapana, who missed the opening two games of the season because of suspension, was placed on report in the second half for a crusher tackle.

Stuart said he has resisted making change so far this year despite their indifferent star to the season.

“It’s a frustrating time for us because we’re not putting any team under any pressure,” Stuart said.

“I feel for the boys. I see how close we are. When I’m getting the effort I’m getting that’s why I keep faith in the 17. We’re not building pressure and we’re not putting teams under the spotlight like they are doing it for us. At times it’s execution. It’s bad luck.”

Originally published as NRL casualty ward: Latrell Mitchell hamstring injury far worse than first thought, Knights in turmoil