NRL 2022: Moses Suli ankle injury, Sharks winger Sione Katoa ruled out for season
The Dragons will be without one of their most powerful ball-runners for the run to the finals, while the Sharks have suffered a big blow to their backline.
NRL
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St George Illawarra’s finals aspirations have been tortured with blockbusting centre Moses Suli all but ruled out for the season.
Suli has syndesmosis and will undergo immediate surgery. He is expected to miss between six and eight games. Should Suli’s recovery be rapid, and his club reach the finals, then Suli could be back for the playoffs.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin has named Moses Mbye and Zac Lomax as his centres for Friday night’s important match against Manly at Kogarah.
Suli injured his ankle in last weekend’s loss to the Sydney Roosters in Gosford.
“Scans have confirmed Suli suffered a high grade syndesmosis injury,” said a Dragons statement. “Additional consultations have determined the Tongan international will require syndesmosis stabilisation surgery which will keep him out until the finals.”
Two heavy back-to-back losses have St George Illawarra under pressure to topple the Sea Eagles.
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Meantime, Canterbury prop Luke Thompson will undergo further tests for concussion and may not return this season.
Thompson has not played since sustaining a head collision in the Bulldogs’ match against St George Illawarra on May 29. He suffered from delated symptoms and continues to struggle with side-effects. Thompson is due to have additional concussion scans.
Canterbury officials are claiming Thompson’s absence is “indefinite.”
Bulldogs management watched the plight of Wests Tigers prop Alex Twal, who was badly concussed in a game against Canterbury in June.
Concerned for his wellbeing, Wests Tigers officials later ruled Twal out for the rest of this season. Canterbury hasn’t yet made a definitive decision about Thompson’s return date but the club may opt for a similar unavailability as Twal.
Thompson has only suffered one concussion this season but it was significant.
There had been suggestions Thompson may return home to play in the English Super League after this season, although those rumours appear to be unfounded with the player and club confident the English Test star will be ready and fit for round one next season.
Thompson comes off contract at Belmore after 2023. He flew home to England mid-season for personal reasons and arrived back in Australia last Friday week.
Thompson was recruited by the Bulldogs in 2020 from English giants, St Helens. He is known to be a popular member of the Bulldogs playing roster.
Sharks lose attacking star for season
-David Riccio
The Sharks have suffered a major blow to their finals push with the club’s leading try scorer Sione Katoa facing season-ending surgery.
The athletically-brilliant winger has suffered a partial tear to his pectoral that requires an operation. The frustrating irony is that Katoa did the damage while diving to score a try against the Cowboys last Friday night.
Katoa, who is second on the NRL try scorers list with 14 this season, will be replaced by Connor Tracey on the wing for Cronulla’s clash with premiers Penrith on Saturday.
On the mend from a groin issue, the Sharks also have Roosters recruit Matt Ikuvalu as a wing option.
Foxx learns fate over injury fears
-Brent Read
Canterbury winger Josh Addo-Carr has been cleared of serious injury and prop Luke Thompson is back at Belmore in a double boost for the Bulldogs heading into the final month of the regular season.
Addo-Carr was seen in a moon boot and walking with the aid of crutches on Monday, before being sent for scans on the ankle and backside he injured in the club’s loss to South Sydney on Sunday night.
There were initial fears that he may be sidelined for the remainder of the season, which would have been a blow to not just the Bulldogs but also Australian coach Mal Meninga as he steps up planning for the World Cup.
However, it is understood Addo-Carr received the results of the scans on Monday night and was cleared of serious injury.
The flying winger had a mixed start to the year but has rediscovered his best form in recent weeks and Meninga had already indicated that Addo-Carr was part of his plans even though he was overlooked by NSW coach Brad Fittler for the State of Origin series.
Addo-Carr responded to that snubbing by producing some of his best performances and although he has been cleared of major injury, there is no certainty he will be available this weekend given he was struggling to walk on Monday.
Thompson is also in contention for the England side for the World Cup but his availability will hinge on how he continues to recover from a nasty concussion he suffered in round 12 against St George Illawarra.
Thompson suffered symptoms which prevented his return and then flew to England to be with his family for personal reasons, meaning he has spent nearly two months on the sidelines.
However, he is back in the country and trained at Belmore on Monday as he pushes for a return to the field before the end of the season.
It is understood his comeback date will hinge on talks with the team’s medical staff over his health given the issues with concussion he suffered prior to flying home.
Thompson has endured a mixed time since moving to the Bulldogs - at one point there were suggestions we would be free to leave should another club be willing to pick up his sizeable salary.
However, it is understood the Bulldogs are now open to extending his deal beyond next season as they look to retain the Englishman beyond 2023.
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