NRL casualty ward: Representative insult as 61 players go down in one week

AN astonishing 61 players have gone down in just one week due to injury, suspension, disciplinary issues or resting — making a mockery of rep round.

AN astonishing 61 players have gone down in just one week due to injury, suspension, disciplinary issues or resting — once again making a mockery of representative round.

And in a further insult, only nine players are set to miss more than a week.

The other 52 will either return next round or are yet to confirm comeback dates.

City coach Brad Fittler was worst hit, forced to name a staggering 10 debutants to take on NSW Country.

Fittler’s list of unavailables included Adam Reynolds, Josh Reynolds, Matt Moylan, Jake Trbojevic, Wade Graham (rested), Blake Austin (hamstring), Dylan Walker (hip/ribs), Lachlan Coote (ribs), James Roberts (hip) and James Tedesco (fractured shoulder).

All but Tedesco will return next round, with the in-form Tigers fullback out for 4-6 weeks and therefore unavailable for the opening State of Origin game.

Even prior to the pull-outs, City-Country coaches had a limited talent pool to choose from after NSW mentor Laurie Daley gave leave passes to a host of incumbents, including Trent Hodkinson, Mitchell Pearce, Robbie Farah, Beau Scott, Ryan Hoffman, Trent Merrin, David Klemmer, Josh Morris and Josh Jackson.

Fittler was fuming: “This game, and this (representative) round, afterwards should be looked at pretty closely by the NRL.

“They will look at it closely and they should look at it closely.

“The fact that other people have control over players’ opportunity to play rep football ... that’s normally a lot of coaches.

“So the appropriateness of this round and this game will definitely be looked at. It’s important the NRL take control, it’s as simple as that.”

Matt Moylan won’t play for City.

At least nine players have legitimate excuses, including Tedesco, Dean Whare (ACL, season), Adam Clydesdale (ankle, round 12), Tom Trbojevic (ankle, round 14), Jayson Bukuya (suspension, round 11), Alex Glenn (calf, round 11), Korbin Sims (suspension, round 11), Kieran Foran (personal leave, indefinite) and Manu Vatuvei (medical leave, indefinite).

Sam Burgess was ineligible for any representative teams this week and is now aiming to return next match, despite initial fears he would miss a few weeks.

“There’s good news with Sam,” said Rabbitohs Physiotherapist Eddie Farah.

“We were a bit concerned there, but he has got the scans done. They’ve all been positive.

“So we’ll be looking after him this week. He’ll stay off his feet but we are very confident he’ll be ready for the Parramatta game (next Friday).”

James Tedesco is out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured shoulder.

ROUND 9 CASUALTY WARD

* Sam Burgess (Ankle, Round 10)

* Adam Reynolds (Unknown, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* James Tedesco (Fractured shoulder, Round 13-15)

* Mitchell Moses (Quad, Round 10) - pre-game

* Tim Grant (Knee/ankle, Round 10) - pre-game

* Josh Addo-Carr (Groin, TBC) - ruled out pre-game in NSW Cup

* Tim Mannah (Shoulder, TBC)

* Danny Wicks (Concussion, Round 10)

* Michael Gordon (Corked thigh, Round 10)

* Tepai Moeroa (Shin, TBC) - pre-game

* Kieran Foran (Personal leave, TBC) - pre-game

* Sam Perrett (Ribs, TBC) - pre-game

* Will Hopoate (Religious reasons, Round 13) - won’t play next four Sundays

* Aiden Tolman (Unknown, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Josh Reynolds (Unknown, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Dean Whare (ACL, Season) - pre-game

* James Fisher-Harris (Ribs, Round 10)

* Matt Moylan (Unknown, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Peta Hiku (Knee, TBC) - ruled out by New Zealand

* Blake Austin (Hamstring, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Adam Clydesdale (Ankle, Round 12)

* Joe Burgess (Concussion, Round 10)

* Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Foot) - ruled out for Kiwis

* Michael Jennings (Unknown) - named 19th man for Kangaroos but withdrew

* Korbin Sims (Suspension, Round 11)

* Tom Trbojevic (Ankle, Round 14) - pre-game

* Brett Stewart (Hamstring, Round 10) - pre-game

* Apisai Koroisau (Ribs, Round 10)

* Jake Trbojevic (Unknown, TBC) - failed City medical

* Dylan Walker (Hip/ribs, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Lachlan Coote (Ribs, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Tim Lafai (Knee, TBC) - pre-game

* Mitch Rein (Shoulder, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Thomas Leuluai (Hamstring, TBC) - pre-game

* Konrad Hurrell (Disciplinary, TBC) - pre-game

* Manu Vatuvei (Medical leave, TBC) - pre-game

* Ben Matulino (Disciplinary, TBC) - pre-game

* Bodene Thompson (Disciplinary, TBC) - pre-game

* Sam Lisone (Disciplinary, TBC) - pre-game

* Albert Vete (Disciplinary, TBC) - pre-game

* Sione Lousi (Knee, TBC)

* Marika Koroibete (Knee, TBC) - pre-game

* Richie Kennar (Foot, TBC) - pre-game

* Young Tonumaipea (Knee, TBC) - pre-game

* Jayson Bukuya (Suspension, Round 11)

* Sosaia Feki (Hamstring, Round 10)

* Andrew Fifita (Unknown) - rested for rep weekend

* Michael Ennis (Unknown) - rested for rep weekend

* Wade Graham (Unknown, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Alex Glenn (Calf, Round 11) - ruled out by New Zealand

* James Roberts (Hip, Round 10) - ruled out of City-Country

* Anthony Milford (Rested, Round 10) - not permitted to play for Samoa

* Trent Hodkinson - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Mitchell Pearce - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Robbie Farah - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Beau Scott - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Ryan Hoffman - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Trent Merrin - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* David Klemmer - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Josh Morris - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

* Josh Jackson - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

Sam Burgess may not miss a single match despite an ankle injury.

FULL CASUALTY WARD

Brisbane Broncos

Lachlan Maranta (Knee, Round 11)

Andrew McCullough (Hamstring, Round 14)

Alex Glenn (Calf, Round 11)

Joe Boyce (Shoulder, Round 10)

Adam Blair (Suspension, Round 10)

James Roberts (Hip, Round 10)

Anthony Milford (Rested, Round 10)

Canberra Raiders

Sia Soliola (Broken arm, Round 13)

Jeff Lima (Hand, Round 12)

Blake Austin (Hamstring, Round 10)

Adam Clydesdale (Ankle, Round 12)

Canterbury Bulldogs

Chase Stanley (Hamstring, Round 10)

Brett Morris (Knee, Round 16)

Sam Perrett (Ribs, TBC)

Josh Jackson (Concussion, Round 10)

Aiden Tolman (Unknown, Round 10)

Josh Morris (Unknown, Round 10)

Josh Reynolds (Unknown, Round 10)

Will Hopoate (Religious reasons, Round 13)

David Klemmer - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

Cronulla Sharks

Connor Tracey (ACL, Season)

Sosaia Feki (Hamstring, Round 10)

Wade Graham (Unknown, Round 10)

Jayson Bukuya (Suspension, Round 11)

Andrew Fifita (Unknown) - rested for rep weekend

Michael Ennis (Unknown) - rested for rep weekend

Gold Coast Titans

Kane Elgey (ACL, Season)

Oshae Tuiasau (MCL, Round 10)

David Hala (Elbow, Round 12)

Daniel Mortimer (Hamstring, Indefinite)

Matt Srama (Knee, Season)

Manly Sea Eagles

Jayden Hodges (ACL, Season)

Brett Stewart (Hamstring, Round 10)

Tim Moltzen (Knee, Indefinite)

Jamie Buhrer (Broken thumb, Round 10)

Jorge Taufua (Broken collarbone, Round 14)

Tom Trbojevic (Ankle, Round 15)

Isaac John (Pectoral, Round 16)

Apisai Koroisau (Ribs, Round 10)

Dylan Walker (Hip/ribs, Round 10)

Jake Trbojevic (Unknown, TBC)

Melbourne Storm

Billy Slater (Shoulder, Season)

Will Chambers (Fractured foot, Round 19)

Jeremy Hawkins (Hamstring, Round 13)

Tony Tumusa (Ankle, Round 11)

Young Tonumaipea (Knee, Indefinite)

Marika Koroibete (Knee, Indefinite)

Richie Kennar (Foot, TBC)

New Zealand Warriors

Tuimoala Lolohea (Knee, Round 10)

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Knee, Season)

Ben Henry (Knee, Indefinite)

Simon Mannering (Mouth cut, Round 10)

Thomas Leuluai (Hamstring, TBC)

Konrad Hurrell (Disciplinary, TBC)

Manu Vatuvei (Medical leave, TBC)

Ben Matulino (Disciplinary, TBC)

Bodene Thompson (Disciplinary, TBC)

Sam Lisone (Disciplinary, TBC)

Albert Vete (Disciplinary, TBC)

Sione Lousi (Knee, TBC)

Ryan Hoffman - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

Newcastle Knights

Chanel Mata’utia (Knee, Round 16)

James McManus (Concussion, Season)

Kade Snowden (Various, Season)

Jake Mamo (Ankle, Round 10)

Peter Mata’utia (Knee, Round 17)

Robbie Rochow (Broken arm, Round 13)

Jarrod Mullen (Hamstring, Indefinite)

Sam Mataora (Suspension, Round 10)

Korbin Sims (Suspension, Round 11)

Trent Hodkinson - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

North QLD Cowboys

Ray Thompson (Broken leg, Round 10)

Lachlan Coote (Ribs, Round 10)

Parramatta Eels

Anthony Watmough (Knee, Indefinite)

Luke Kelly (ACL, Season)

Bevan French (Elbow, Round 10)

Kieran Foran (Personal leave, Indefinite)

Tepai Moeroa (Shin, Indefinite)

Tim Mannah (Shoulder, TBC)

Danny Wicks (Concussion, Round 10)

Michael Gordon (Corked thigh, Round 10)

Beau Scott - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

Michael Jennings (Unknown, Round 10)

Penrith Panthers

Viliame Kikau (Ankle, Indefinite)

Waqa Blake (Hip pointer, Round 10)

Te Marie Martin (Shoulder fracture, Season)

Dean Whare (ACL, Season)

James Fisher-Harris (Ribs, Round 10)

Matt Moylan (Unknown, Round 10)

Peta Hiku (Knee, TBC)

Trent Merrin - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

South Sydney Rabbitohs

Zane Musgrove (Wrist, Indefinite)

John Sutton (Pectoral, Round 18)

Alex Johnston (Hamstring, Round 10)

Hymel Hunt (Pectoral, Season)

Sam Burgess (Ankle, Round 10)

Paul Carter (Suspension, Round 10)

Angus Crichton (Groin, Indefinite)

Adam Reynolds (Unknown, Round 10)

St George Illawarra Dragons

Dylan Farrell (Back, Indefinite)

Mose Masoe (ACL, Season)

Yaw Kiti Glymin (Hamstring, Indefinite)

Ben Creagh (Knee, Indefinite)

Joel Thompson (Suspension, Round 10)

Tim Lafai (Knee, TBC)

Mitch Rein (Shoulder, Round 10)

Sydney Roosters

Vincent Leuluai (Knee, Round 10)

Dale Copley (Pectoral, Round 20)

Ian Henderson (Broken leg, Indefinite)

Sio Suia Taukieaho (Knee, Round 12)

Daniel Tupou (Lat, Indefinite)

Joe Burgess (Concussion, Round 10)

Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Foot, Anzac Test)

Mitchell Pearce - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

Wests Tigers

Matt Ballin (ACL, Round 10)

Tim Grant (Knee/ankle, Round 10)

Aaron Woods (Ankle, Round 11)

Mitchell Moses (Quad, Round 10)

James Tedesco (Fractured shoulder, Round 13-15)

Josh Addo-Carr (Groin, TBC)

Robbie Farah - NSW incumbent rested from City-Country

Originally published as NRL casualty ward: Representative insult as 61 players go down in one week