NRL 2024: Corey Harawira-Naera says Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s medical retirement claim is premature

Ricky Stuart described it as a ‘tragedy’ that Corey Harawira-Naera would likely never play NRL again. But the Raiders star has rejected suggestions his career is over. READ THE LATEST

Corey Harawira-Naera and Ricky Stuart.

Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera has responded to Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s claim that he would be forced into medical retirement, declaring there’s “more to come from my end”.

Harawira-Naera hasn’t played or trained since collapsing on the field during Canberra’s 33-26 Round 13 win over South Sydney.

Doctors have put the New Zealand international through a series of tests to investigate the cause of his seizure, but he has so far been unable to gain a medical clearance to return.

However, it appeared Harawira-Naera’s playing days were all-but over after revelations from Stuart on Wednesday.

Corey Harawira-Naera’s NRL career could be over. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

“It is really sad for the kid … it’s a tragedy actually,” Stuart told Wide World of Sports.

“The medical reports we are getting is that he is very unlikely to play again.

“At 28, that’s tough and he has been good for us.

“But we are supporting him and looking for a pathway for him after football.

“We would like to keep him in the game and in the club.”

But in a strange twist, Harawira-Naera took to social media just hours later, with a statement that was at odds with what his coach’s information.

“Nothing confirmed yet whanau (extended family), more to come from my end,” he wrote on his Instagram story.

“Merry early Xmas to all, big love to those who have reached out.”

Harawira-Naera has two years remaining on his contract, which is believed to be worth at least $600,000 a season, and contains an option in his favour for 2026.

This masthead last month revealed the Raiders had, as a precautionary step, approached the NRL and formally applied for a salary cap exemption while the back-rower remained on the sidelines.

Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera's Instagram post.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart.

If approved, the Raiders could receive a salary cap exemption for as much as $50,000 for every month Harawira-Naera is sidelined, aiding them in their bid to sign one of the big-name back-rowers currently on the market for 2025.

The Raiders are looking for a strike forward and have been linked with North Queensland duo Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Heilum Luki.

The Cowboys are facing a salary cap crunch and could struggle to keep the pair, especially after they re-signed five-eighth Tom Dearden this week on a rich, long-term deal that runs until the end of 2029.

It’s understood a number of clubs, including St George Illawarra, have shown a keen interest in Finefeuiaki and Luki.

The Dragons have been unable to land a blow in the transfer market recently, with Red-V targets Dearden, Addin Fonua-Blake, Connor Tracey and England’s Jack Welsby all agreeing deals elsewhere.

Originally published as NRL 2024: Corey Harawira-Naera says Raiders coach Ricky Stuart’s medical retirement claim is premature