NRL finals casualty ward: Adam Elliott set to miss Eels clash, Joseph Tapine on report

Raiders forward Adam Elliott admits he is in grave doubt for the sudden-death semi-final against the Eels, while star prop Joseph Tapine could also be in danger of missing the match.

Adam Elliott is almost certain to miss the Raiders clash against the Eels after “hearing a crack” in his pubic bone while in-form prop Joe Tapine admits he faces a nervous wait for the match review committee.

The Raiders and the Eels will play in a finals match for the first time after Canberra ambushed the Storm yet again to win 28-20 in Melbourne.

The victory could prove costly though with Elliott conceding he is in grave doubt to play Parramatta after failing to finish the game. He was whacked heavily by Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona after passing the ball with nine minutes remaining in the first half and could not return.

The injury soured Elliott’s first finals appearance.

“It had nothing to do with the shot, something is going around my pubic bone – I felt a crack,” Elliott said. “I went in to see if I could get it needled but I would’ve been no good if I came back out. I would’ve been a liability.

Adam Elliott is likely to miss the Raiders’ clash against the Eels next weekend. Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

“We’re fortunate we have middles who can play big minutes. I am shitting myself (about next week). I just want to try and enjoy this – I am so proud of the boys efforts but I am really worried.

“With all the staff here they are great. We will be doing everything we can to try and get me ready to go.”

Tapine will learn his fate sooner with the match review committee to hand down their verdict on Sunday. The Raiders star was placed on report for a second half high tackle on Jahrome Hughes. Hughes came from the field for a concussion test but returned.

Tapine has been fined twice already this year. A grade one offence will allow him to play.

“There was no malice,” Tapine said. “I hope nothing comes of it. They will review it and I’ll get whatever I get.”

Joseph Tapine was put on report for a high tackle on Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Ryan Sutton is sidelined for the year so the Raiders would have to call upon the likes of Peter Hola, Ata Mariota or Trey Mooney if one or both of Tapine and Elliott are missing.

Raiders skipper Elliott Whitehead said Tapine “is the best prop in the world” while coach Ricky Stuart said he will have no case to answer.

The Raiders will play a Parramatta side who are smarting from their loss to Penrith on Friday night. The sides have clashed just once this season – a 28-20 win to Parramatta in round 12.

Stuart tried to play down his team’s chances ahead of the clash against the Eels.

“Going into next week’s game no one expects us to win,” Stuart said. “No one expects us to beat Parramatta. We will have a fun week of training.

“I don’t want to get into Parramatta now. I just want to enjoy the win.”

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Originally published as NRL finals casualty ward: Adam Elliott set to miss Eels clash, Joseph Tapine on report