NRL Casualty Ward Round 14: Weekend injuries and suspensions
Melbourne Storm could be missing three quarters of their first-choice spine for their blockbuster clash against third-placed Parramatta Eels.
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The Roosters’ casualty ward will consist of more than $4 million next weekend after further significant injuries in Round 13.
Luke Keary suffered a rib injury in the first half, which he received a pain killing injection for at half time to assist his return to the field.
After another blow to his left side he was forced off, with the severe discomfort visible as he limped to the sheds.
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Unfortunately paramedics were required to assess Keary, and he was promptly taken to hospital after the game with fears he suffered internal bleeding.
Of significant concern if internal bleeding occurs due to a blow to the left side of the abdomen is an injury to the spleen, with a ruptured spleen regarded as a medical emergency due to the potential for considerable blood loss.
Thankfully for Keary he was released from hospital in the early hours of the following morning having been cleared of internal organ injury, with scans revealing a badly broken rib in two places.
This will require at least two weeks on the sideline, and can be up to a month if the associated high level of pain doesn’t settle quickly.
AUBUSSON INJURY CAREER-THREATENING
All NRL fans watched on nervously as Mitch Aubusson came from the field with his arm held close to his chest in a makeshift jersey sling after he was caught awkwardly under a falling Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Scans the following day revealed a significant ligament tear in his left wrist which will need to be assessed by a specialist next week to determine the best course of action. There is some suggestion he will be able to avoid surgery and miss up to a month of football, which would be welcome news allowing him to return before the end of the regular season.
If surgery is required it would almost certainly be season and career ending for the Roosters second-rower, which would be a horrible way for his 301 game career to come to an end.
Nasty for Mitch Aubusson, video brings concern for wrist hyperextension injury as left hand gets caught on the ground under weight of players. Concern for ligament sprain/nerve or tendon traction injury, hope no fracture. Best case: minor soft tissue sprain but didn’t look good pic.twitter.com/nZGRbzIe7i
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 13, 2020
SILENCE OF THE LAM
Having only just earned a starting spot in the Roosters’ side, Lachlan Lam is now facing at least six weeks in the rehab group after suffering a syndesmosis injury that will require surgery.
The Roosters’ initial estimate has him expected to miss eight weeks, but many NRL players this season have been able to accelerate their rehab process and return in 6-7 weeks.
STORM SCRAMBLE TO FIELD A SPINE
The news wasn’t any better for their opposition the Storm, with Suliasi Vunivalu suffering a broken jaw which is set to cost him at least a month. Whilst adequate bone healing is usually at least a six week process, surgery to insert pins and plates in these cases stabilises the fracture and actually speeds up recovery. This often allows return within 4-6 weeks.
Jahrome Hughes is also in doubt next week after suffering a minor groin injury. Add this to the already absent players in Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster, and the Storm will be scrambling to field a spine next week.
TITANS DUO SET TO MISS REST OF SEASON
Dale Copley has likely played his last game for the season after suffering a suspected pectoral rupture in the Titans’ loss to the Sharks.
The way in which Copley suffered the injury brought immediate concern for a significant pec tear, and with vision post match of him in a sling the signs are not positive. With surgery likely required the associated recovery period is usually 10-14 weeks.
Another Titans player who finished the match in a sling was Jai Arrow, who came off second best in a heavy collision with Siosifa Talakai. The Titans forward will go for scans on a suspected shoulder injury, with the injury mechanism bringing concern for a moderate to high grade AC joint sprain. If this is confirmed return to play can occur in 2-6 weeks, whilst the presence of a fracture would push this timeline beyond the six week mark.
BAD TO WORSE AS BRONCOS LOSE FOUR MORE
Things have gone from bad to worse for the Broncos, a heavy loss to the Raiders compounded by three more key players becoming unavailable due to injury and another likely unavailable through suspension.
During the week the Broncos announced that a small tibial fracture had been discovered in Matt Lodge’s knee, with his season almost certainly over. A fracture to the tibia within the knee joint is one that must be treated with caution due to the proximity to articular cartilage. This is cartilage that cannot repair on its own, so any damage here can pose significant long term risks to the health of Lodge’s knee.
Jake Turpin was unable to finish the game on Saturday night due to a fractured hand (second metacarpal). Thankfully many fractures in the second metacarpal can be surgically stabilised and allow a return within 3-4 weeks. Surgery allows accelerated movement and rehab in the early stages, with less associated muscle wastage and joint stiffness.
Meanwhile, the club’s best forward Payne Haas facing a possible three-week suspension for a crusher tackle during Saturday’s 36-8 loss to the Raiders, while boom Broncos winger Xavier Coates broke down at training last Thursday.
The Broncos now have 13 players unavailable for next week’s clash against the Dragons.
ELLIOT SUFFERS SUSPECTED ACL INJURY
Unfortunate news from the Manly sheds with Brendan Elliot suffering a suspected ACL injury.
Not good signs as the tests medical staff can perform are very accurate at identifying the presence of ACL rupture, with scans often confirming what is already known.
If surgery is required he faces a 6-9 month recovery.
Brendan Elliot off with a left knee injury. Indirect contact as he is landing, best case by video is possible meniscus injury but concern for ACL injury with landing + appearance of tibial shift (lower leg bone shifts forward) during landing. Hoping for better than expected news pic.twitter.com/5TA6Mfi8j3
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 16, 2020
ORIGIN PROP RE-INJURES KNEE
Daniel Saifiti, in his first game back after five weeks sidelined, twisted the same left knee while attempting to make a tackle and immediately left the field midway through the first half.
The fresh injury is suspected to relate to scar tissue from a previous PCL issue. He was some chance to return in second half but the Knights took a cautious route.
Hopefully there’s no new damage. If isolated to scar tissue, most players are able to return in 1-3 weeks
SCARE FOR FORAN
Kieran Foran sent hearts racing in the Canterbury sheds after leaving the field with an ankle injury. However, he made a quick recovery, returning to the field soon afterwards.
Kieran Foran off, and now back on, after rolling ankle. Like Cust earlier today foot rolls in, typical for lateral ankle sprain & usually looks worse than it is. As long as fracture avoided can play through or return quickly, which Foran is doing pic.twitter.com/eaIkbRncum
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 16, 2020
THOMPSON COPS GRUESOME INJURY
Joel Thompson got tongues wagging in the clash between Newcastle and Manly. Teammate Curtis Sironen posted to his Instagram after the game to reveal the horrific tongue injury the Sea Eagles veteran suffered – and it’s a nasty one.
“He’s tough the old bush goat,” Sironen wrote.
Thompson won’t miss any games.
HOLMES EYES EARLY RETURN FOR COWBOYS
Valentine Holmes is on the verge of returning from ankle surgery as North Queensland confront the grim reality they are fighting to avoid the 2020 NRL wooden spoon.
Holmes will sit out Saturday’s clash against South Sydney at Queensland Country Bank Stadium but could return for next weekend’s showdown with Newcastle.
The Cowboys fullback has missed North Queensland’s past four games after succumbing to an ankle injury which required surgery.
Holmes was expected to miss up to 10 weeks, but he could be back in half that time after recovering swiftly.
With the Cowboys hoping to have all hands on deck for the back end of the year, interim coach Josh Hannay said Holmes was a chance to face the Knights.
“Val is coming along a bit better than expected,” he said.
“I spoke to him yesterday and he’s feeling really good. He said the ankle feels better than it did prior to him having surgery.
“He’s hoping to be back in the next week or two. We’ll integrate him into full training next week and see how that goes.”
— Travis Meyn
JUDICIARY REPORT
Titans prop Kevin Proctor has been referred straight to the judiciary after being sent off for allegedly biting in Saturday’s loss to Cronulla.
Brisbane’s Payne Haas (2-3 weeks), Souths forward Liam Knight (1-2 weeks), Dragons recruit Tyrell Fuimaono and Warriors back-rower Eliesa Katoa (both one week) are also facing bans.
FULL NRL CASUALTY WARD
Brisbane Broncos
Payne Haas (facing suspension, round 17-18)
Jake Turpin (hand, TBC)
Xavier Coates (foot, round 16-17)
Alex Glenn (knee, round 15-17)
Tevita Pangai Jnr (suspended, indefinite)
Anthony Milford (hamstring, round 17)
Corey Oates (leg, indefinite)
Jordan Kahu (shoulder, indefinite)
Sean O’Sullivan (knee, indefinite)
Keenan Palasia (knee, indefinite)
Tesi Nui (wrist, season)
Matt Lodge (leg, season)
Jack Bird (ACL, season)
Canberra Raiders
Michael Oldfield (thumb, round 20)
Semi Valemei (knee, round 16-17)
Emre Guler (ankle, round 17-19)
Corey Horsburgh (foot, round 19)
Sia Soliola (facial fracture, finals)
Sebastian Kris (personal leave, indefinite)
Andre Niko (knee, season)
Josh Hodgson (knee, season)
Bailey Simonsson (shoulder, season)
Canterbury Bulldogs
Jake Averillo (hip, round 15)
Will Hopoate (ankle, round 15-16)
Joe Stimson (shoulder, season)
Adam Elliott (shoulder, season)
Cronulla Sharks
Shaun Johnson (groin, TBC)
Josh Dugan (knee, TBC)
Andrew Fifita (finger/round 15-16)
Chad Townsend (calf, round 16-18)
Jackson Ferris (knee, round 17-19)
Bronson Xerri (stood down)
Cameron King (ACL, season)
Gold Coast Titans
Kevin Proctor (facing suspension, TBC)
Jai Arrow (shoulder, TBC)
Mitch Rein (knee, round 16-17)
Jonus Pearson (pectoral, round 16-17)
Ryan James (knee, season)
Dale Copley (pectoral, season)
Manly Sea Eagles
Brendan Elliot (knee, TBC)
Martin Taupau (head knock, round 15)
Tom Trbojevic (hamstring, round 15-17)
Dylan Walker (foot, round 17-19)
Addin Fonua-Blake (knee, round 18)
Manase Fainu (stood down/shoulder)
Melbourne Storm
Suliasi Vunivalu (jaw, TBC)
Max King (Achilles, round 15)
Jahrome Hughes (groin, round 16)
Cameron Smith (shoulder, round 16)
Marion Seve (ear, round 16-17)
Cameron Munster (knee, round 16-17)
Tui Kamikamica (lower back, finals)
Paul Momirovski (finger, finals)
Newcastle Knights
Daniel Saifiti (knee, TBC)
Pasami Saulo (suspension, round 15)
Sione Mata’utia (ankle, round 18)
Bradman Best (ankle, indefinite)
Tim Glasby (concussion, indefinite)
Edrick Lee (arm, indefinite)
Andrew McCullough (hamstring, season)
Connor Watson (Achilles, season)
Jayden Brailey (knee, season)
North Queensland Cowboys
Valentine Holmes (ankle, round 16-17)
Murray Taulagi (wrist, indefinite)
Parramatta Eels
Peni Terepo (indefinite)
Penrith Panthers
Brian To’o (ankle, round 15)
Charlie Staines (hamstring, round 16)
Kurt Capewell (knee, round 16)
Dean Whare (toe, round 18)
South Sydney Rabbitohs
Liam Knight (facing suspension, round 16-17)
Bayley Sironen (leg, TBC)
Hame Sele (shoulder, round 16)
James Roberts (pectoral, finals)
Ethan Lowe (neck, season)
Tom Amone (knee, season)
Braidon Burns (knee, season)
St George Illawarra Dragons
Tyrell Fuimaono (facing suspension, round 16)
Jackson Ford (suspended, round 16)
Billy Brittain (syndesmosis, round 16-17)
Tariq Sims (shoulder, round 20)
Jack de Belin (stood down)
Sydney Roosters
Lachlan Lam (ankle, TBC)
Mitchell Aubusson (wrist, TBC)
Luke Keary (ribs, round 17)
Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (calf, round 15)
Brett Morris (back, round 15)
Angus Crichton (knee, round 15)
Daniel Tupou (ankle, round 15)
Boyd Cordner (head knock, indefinite)
Victor Radley (knee, season)
Sam Verrills (knee, season)
Billy Smith (knee, season)
Warriors
Eliesa Katoa (facing suspension, round 16)
Nathaniel Roache (knee, round 15)
Leeson Ah Mau (pectoral, indefinite)
Rocco Berry (back, indefinite)
Leivaha Pulu (compassionate leave, season)
Agnatius Paasi (compassionate leave, season)
David Fusitu’a (compassionate leave, season)
Ken Maumalo (compassionate leave, season)
King Vuniyayawa (compassionate leave, season)
Taane Milne (knee, season)
Jackson Frei (knee, season)
Bunty Afoa (knee, season)
Selestino Ravutaumada (season)
Wests Tigers
Alex Twal (sternum, round 15)
Zane Musgrove (foot, round 16-18)
Harry Grant (knee, round 17)
Michael Chee Kam (concussion, indefinite)
Billy Walters (knee, season)
Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward Round 14: Weekend injuries and suspensions