Keegan Hipgrave ‘comfortable’ replacing Bryce Cartwright if banned

The return of forward Keegan Hipgrave could be the missing piece that solves the Titans right-edge puzzle if Bryce Cartwright is banned by the NRL today.

The return of forward Keegan Hipgrave could be the missing piece that solves the Titans right-edge puzzle if Bryce Cartwright is banned by the NRL today.

The 23-year-old forward was knocked out for the season in last year’s Round 13 win over the Broncos and watched on from the sidelines as the Titans limped to the wooden spoon without him.

With the blessing of NRL neurologists Andrew Gardner and Chris Levi, Hipgrave is finally clear to make his NRL return when the Titans take on the Broncos again on May 28.

Keegan Hipgrave (left) runs the ball during a Titans training session on Monday. Picture: AAP.

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Hipgrave will lead a cavalry charge of returning Titans from injury as Shannon Boyd, Kevin Proctor and Moeaki Fotuaika prepare to face the Broncos fully fit.

The availability of Cartwright will come down to the wire as the edge forward’s stance on vaccinations could see him banned from NRL action.

If Cartwright refuses to be immunised by deadline today, Hipgrave could find himself in the vacant No.12 jersey for his NRL return.

Titans forward Keegan Hipgrave has been cleared to return to the NRL after 11 months on the sideline with concussion. Picture: Supplied

“I played back-row for the majority of 2018 so I’m very comfortable there,” Hipgrave said.

“I’ve been training in the middle but if Justin said he needed me to play (No.12) I’d do it.”

Three concussions in one year forced Hipgrave out for the season but the young enforcer won’t be toning down his violent approach to the game because of it.

“The first thing I did was look at the footage to make sure I was okay,” Hipgrave said of the aftermath to concussion number three.

“The concussions weren’t from tackling or running, they were foul play – it was all forearms and elbows.

“The neurologists were happy with follow-up testing after six months and said we can’t find a reason to not let you play.

“It all relied on them and now I just want to win some games.”