‘I’m confused’: Ivan Cleary hits out at inconsistencies as star prop cleared of serious injury
The Panthers have provided an update on an injured star as his coach hit out at what he says are confusing double standards.
NRL
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Panthers prop James Fisher-Harris will miss this weekend’s game against the Knights with a groin injury, but coach Ivan Cleary says the Kiwi will be back within a month after scans cleared him of serious damage.
The Golden Boot winner came off after just three minutes when he was caught awkwardly in a tackle against the Dragons on Sunday, and while he stalked the sidelines at times, he did not return to the field.
Fisher-Harris is widely regarded as the best front-rower in the world and will be a big out for the three-time defending premiers who will lose him to the Warriors at the end of the year.
They have the forward depth, with Lindsay Smith and Liam Henry both stepping up this season, and the injury could be a blessing in disguise for the hard man who will be fresh when the finals begin.
“He’s got a groin injury so he won’t be playing this week, and then we’ll see how we go,” Cleary confirmed.
“It’s not a long-termer. We’ll just have to see how he goes over the next few weeks.
“It’s not going to be more than say a month. It just depends on how he pulls up. We’re not going to be rushing him. He’s going to be back in plenty of time for the finals.
“It’s going to be one of those things when he’s ready, he’ll play. It’s not a long-termer and it might only be a couple of weeks.
“He’s been carrying a lot this year. He had the big decision earlier in the year and has played pretty much every game, so it’ll be a nice little period for him to freshen up.”
The Panthers will also be without Daine Laurie for Sunday’s home game against the Knights after he was concussed by a late shot from Mat Feagai, who was placed on report but wasn’t charged by the match review committee.
Cleary said he was confused” by the call to not penalise Feagai on the field or after the game, citing a head clash between Taylan May and Reece Walsh in the grand final rematch that left the Broncos star with a facial fracture.
May wasn’t charged at the time but the NRL came out and said the MRC should have at least fined him for the careless act; however, on this occasion they said Feagai showed “care and control” in his actions.
“I’m confused,” Cleary said.
“It was actually in one of our games earlier in the year where Taylan May had a head clash with Reece Walsh which in my view was a lot more accidental than this one.
“‘That one should have been penalised and put in the bin’ was the comment after that one, but I thought with Daine’s one that he passed the ball and after he passed it, he actually tried to get his head out of the way.
“So he (Feagai) had enough time to move his head to avoid the contact. I’m confused with that one.”
Originally published as ‘I’m confused’: Ivan Cleary hits out at inconsistencies as star prop cleared of serious injury
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