NRL 2024: Penrith Panthers sweat on scan results after Nathan Cleary suffers hamstring injury

The Penrith Panthers and NSW coach Michael Maguire are sweating on the results of scans, with star halfback Nathan Cleary facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines. SEE THE EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS.

Nathan Cleary has suffered another hamstring injury in the Panthers v Bulldogs clash. Picture: Getty Images

Penrith star Jarome Luai will get a taste of life as the $1.6 million man as the reigning premiers face a lengthy stint without co-captain Nathan Cleary.

The Panthers halfback didn’t undergo scans until early Saturday evening, forcing coach Ivan Cleary to wait one more night to find out the severity of his son’s latest hamstring strain.

It is believed he could miss up to six weeks if it is a grade-two tear.

Cleary missed six weeks with a grade-two tear in his left hamstring last year, while it is now his right that he has had issues with this season.

New Blues coach Michael Maguire will also be anxiously waiting on the results, having already been dealt the news of Tom Trbojevic’s seven-week recovery with the same injury.

But the impact will be more immediate for the three-time defending champions, who could be without arguably the league’s best player for a large chunk of the season.

Nathan Cleary arrives to get scans on a Hamstring injury. Photo Jeremy Piper

Cleary is slow to get up the stairs. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Good news? Cleary was smiling after his scans. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Luai was shattered for his long-time teammate.

“Heartbroken. I spoke to him after, his spirit’s pretty down,” he said.

“Whatever we can do to bring that energy up, give him some confidence that he’ll be back there at the end of the year.

“Give him confidence that we’ll be there at the end of the year and be ready for his return.

“He’s done it three times in a row now. It’ll be frustrating for him. He loves his footy and wants to play with the boys. I feel for him. I know what he’s feeling.

“But we’ve got good energy among this team. We’ll get around him for sure.”

The Panthers will certainly be without back-up halfback Brad Schneider for about a month. While he too was awaiting scan results, it is understood Schneider suffered an injury to the lateral ligament in his knee.

The injury has a wide-ranging return date of at least two weeks through to two months.

Schneider was taken out while kicking the ball in NSW Cup on Friday with Canterbury young back-rower Kitione Kautoga sin-binned for his actions.

Brad Schneider suffered a knee injury in NSW Cup yesterday - no other video angles but potential PCL sprain w nasty direct contact during kick.

Early reports he will miss at least a few weeks - was somehow able to play on for 15 mins after this. Another blow for Panthers halves. pic.twitter.com/uXukjmvdCk

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 11, 2024

Youngster Jack Cole, who was strong when he came off the bench to join Luai in the halves during their win over Canterbury, will play five-eighth.

The test doubles as a preview for what’s to come for both players, with Luai having signed a mammoth $6 million deal to be the Tigers’ marquee man for the next five years.

Cole is being groomed to be his successor.

“I tried to play (Nathan’s) role (on Friday). I wasn’t too good,” Luai said.

“I’ll double down this week. He’ll be in my ear, helping me out, whatever role I gotta play next week. I’ll make sure I’ll be better.

“It was on the run a bit (against the Bulldogs). I thought the boys done well in general to get the win against a tough Bulldogs outfit.

“I’ll put in the reps this week, put in some overtime video and get Nath’s advice on how I can be better at that role.”

Luai said Cole had proven he was ready to step up after impressing in the off-season, which was rewarded when he partnered Cleary in their World Club Challenge loss to Wigan.

Jack Cole is the man most likely to replace Cleary, with other backup Brad Schneider also injured this weekend. Picture: NRL Photos

“Whenever he goes back and play reserve grade, he’s one of the leaders down there. He’s also so young as well,” Luai said.

“He was pretty keen to get back in the side tonight and have a run.

“I thought he done his job well and he contributed to the win.

“He’s got the reps in the bank to play the role he needs to play. Whatever I can do to take the pressure off his shoulders and make him confident to play his own game, I’ll be that guy.”

Luai, who himself is eyeing an Origin recall for Game I, admitted he was nearing his best form after a slow start to the year by his standards.

“We’re winning games, brother. That’s all I’m worried about,” he said.

“Mentally coming into this season I had a big injury and surgery and didn’t have much of a pre-season. I knew breaking that mental barrier early on in the year was a big challenge.

“But feeling a lot more like myself right now. With the team chopping and changing every week, big players out each and every week, I know I’m going to have my hands full.

“But we’ve got a great side and we’re still getting wins. That’s what we do.”

NSW NIGHTMARE AS CLEARY JOINS CASUALTY WARD

—Michael Carayannis

Superstars Nathan Cleary and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck face extended stints on the sideline after the pair become the latest high profile players to sustain hamstring injuries.

The pair joined Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic to be sidelined with leg injuries.

Cleary’s stop-start season looks set to continue after he limped from the field just before the halftime break with a recurrence of his problematic hamstring. Cleary felt pain in his left hamstring and knew instantly his night was over as he came from the field against the Bulldogs on Friday night.

Nathan Cleary clutches at his hamstring as he leaves the field. Picture: Getty Images

He will undergo crucial scans on Saturday which will determine just how severe his latest setback is. Penrith medicos were unclear if the strain was in the exact same spot as the injury which sidelined him recently.

Cleary has played just five games this season after succumbing to the leg injury in round three. Penrith took a conservative approach with their halfback as Cleary ensured he was back to full fitness before he returned. He played in round eight against the Cowboys but was rested last week as a precaution before making his return to take on the Bulldogs.

Prior to his injury, Cleary’s kicking game proved to be the difference between the two sides. His last play options helped his side to a 12-0 lead at halftime against a gallant Canterbury team.

Nathan Cleary is off after re-injuring his hamstring. Tricky recovery:

- initial rehab longer than expected
- returned 2 weeks ago & had tightness, so missed last week
- re-injured again tonight

Rehab for a re-injury usually more conservative - unlikely to be 1-2 week recovery.

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 10, 2024

Usual fill-in Brad Schneider is also unlikely to be available to play the Warriors at Magic Round next week after he suffered what appeared to be a serious leg injury in NSW Cup. Schneider was taken out while kicking the ball on Friday with Canterbury young back-rower Kitione Kautoga sin-binned for his actions.

It means youngster Jack Cole is likely to partner Jarome Luai in the halves. Cole replaced Cleary at halftime on Friday night. NSW coach Michael Maguire will also be sweating on Cleary’s fitness with less than a month before he takes charge of the Blues for the first time.

Cleary was a certainty to wear the No.7 for NSW but now the race is wide-open. Cleary’s potential absence will force a rethink for Maguire as the debate continued on who would have partnered Cleary in the halves.

The likes of Luai, Nicho Hynes, Mitchell Moses, Cody Walker and Matt Burton are expected to compete for two spots.

Moses is expected to make his own return from injury next week.