Cowboys rocked by Heilum Luki ACL injury, Euan Aitken sidelined for South Sydney

North Queensland’s off-season from hell gets worse, while South Sydney’s horror run of injuries has continued. See the latest injury news.

North Queensland’s Heilum Luki has become the second Cowboys player in as many weeks to have their 2025 season shattered by a serious knee injury.

Luki has suffered a suspected torn ACL at training on Saturday morning just hours before the Cowboys were due to break for Christmas. What is even more heartbreaking is that it is the same ACL that Luki has previously torn during the 2022 season.

Luki knew as soon as he suffered the injury that it was the same agonising feeling he’d previously felt.

The outstanding talent was immediately sent for scans to confirm the Cowboys’ worst fears. While those scans are yet to be confirmed, Cowboys medical staff performed a series of ACL tests on Luki, which indicate the worst possible result of 12-months on the sideline.

The loss of Luki is a major blow, however the timing of John Bateman’s signing from the Wests Tigers, never more pivotal with his ability to play in the middle or edge to cover Luki’s void.

The serious injury also comes just days after outside back Tom Chester also ruptured his knee which put an end to his 2025 campaign, decimating a backline that has already lost veteran Valentine Holmes to St George Illawarra and the retired Kyle Feldt.

Heilum Luki will miss the 2025 season with an ACL injury. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Cowboys coach Todd Payten also revealed star forward Jason Taumalolo could miss the opening month of the season to repair a Lisfranc injury sustained during the Pacific Championships.

“He is in a boot wheeling himself around,” Payten said. “(He is) non-weight bearing. Back after Christmas … could miss up to a month. Knowing Jace and the way he heals and his toughness we expect him back before that.

“He is a quick healer. It is important he looks after himself, dives into his rehab and training.”

Cowboys forward Jason Taumalolo is set to miss the start of the 2025 season as he recovers from surgery to repair a Lisfranc injury. Picture: NRL Photos

Meanwhile, Chester’s year is already over after he ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at training. Chester had surgery this week to repair the knee which means he won’t play a minute of NRL in 2025.

Payten said the injury was “devastating” after he hurt his knee in the club’s combat room.

“After getting it checked sent for scans (the ACL) was partially intact,” Payten said. “We were unaware what that meant. Poor kid had to go in for surgery not knowing the outcome. Could’ve been one month, three months or 12 months. He got the worst possible outcome

“He is a terrific kid. Worked hard. He is tough and tenacious. We are going to miss him.”

Chester played five games for the Cowboys this year but was in the mix to replace Valentine Holmes who has joined St George Illawarra.

Rising Cowboys star Tom Chester has been ruled out for the season after suffering an ACL at training. Picture: Evan Morgan

Payten also praised the impending arrival of former Tigers back-rower John Bateman who will arrive to join his new teammates in the new year.

“The reason we got him on board is I’ve always admired the way he competes and how tough he is,” Payten said. “He’ll add to our group in terms of that. We’ve lost some experience. He is a competitor who wants to win.

“He is a little bit different to the back-rowers we have. A little bit unconventional in the way he plays. He will keep everyone on their toes.”

Payten said the club were in no rush to secure a replacement dummy half for 2026 following Reece Robson’s decision to sign with the Roosters.

“We’ve got 12 months to understand which way we are going to take the club,” Payten said. “Reece is here and committed which is great. We are a development club so we will look internally first. In the meantime we’ve had a number of quality hookers reach out. We will work out what we do after a considered approach.”

RABBITOHS RECRUIT JOINS CLUB’S GROWING INJURY LIST

South Sydney’s continued run of bad luck with injuries has struck again, this time with new recruit Euan Aitken expected to miss at least the first month of the season.

Aitken now joins skipper Cameron Murray and prop Tevita Tatola as a trio of South Sydney forwards unlikely to start in March.

Aitken has had surgery to repair a long-term issue with his shoulder dating back seasons.

As a result, Aitken will miss at least the first month of South Sydney’s premiership campaign – and potentially faces a longer stint on the sideline.

He missed the back end of the 2024 season because of a torn pectoral, but this is a different issue.

The Rabbitohs are privately resigned to missing their new recruit for at least the first four matches, but that could be extended as the club await final results to determine how long he will be sidelined with fears it may be longer.

Euan Aitken is expected to miss at least the opening month of the season. Picture: Supplied

Aitken joined South Sydney on a three-year deal after following coach Wayne Bennett from the Dolphins. He had been slated to start on an edge for South Sydney’s round one clash against his former club.

Murray is also facing an uphill battle to be right to start the season.

Murray recently had the cast on his wrist removed and is now running with the team but is unable to do any contact training.

The club will have a more definitive answer on his return to play by the end of January. Murray had surgery to repair an injured wrist after injuring himself playing for the Kangaroos at the end of season Pacific Championships.

Euan Aitken joined Wayne Bennett in moving from Redcliffe to Redfern. Picture: Supplied

South Sydney’s returning players are tracking a little better after they had a disastrous injury run in 2024.

Campbell Graham, who missed the entire year, is tracking nicely for a round one comeback while prop Tevita Tatola, who played just six games, is slowly getting back into full fitness and is eyeing a return towards the start of the year.

Originally published as Cowboys rocked by Heilum Luki ACL injury, Euan Aitken sidelined for South Sydney