NRL Casualty Ward: Young Bulldog’s career-defining decision, star Roosters recruit hospitalised

Teen Bulldogs sensation Karl Oloapu will meet with specialists to determine if he goes ahead with career-defining neck surgery after reaching out to several NRL greats who defied similar injuries.

Dominic Young. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Karl Oloapu has turned to former Test stars Anthony Minichiello, James Tamou, Matt Scott and Joey Leilua for inspiration as the Bulldogs prodigy contemplates career-defining neck surgery.

Surrounded by the positivity of his tight-knit family, the optimistic 18-year-old will meet with specialists in Sydney next week to determine if he goes ahead with the surgery.

It’s understood Oloapu has already had two specialist appointments and will meet for a deeper examination of the injury next week.

“On behalf of the family, we have the belief and faith that we will get a good result next week and Karl will be able to move forward with a view to continue his career,” Oloapu’s agent Matt Adamson said.

Due to the sensitivity of the procedure and Oloapu’s young age, the Bulldogs and the Oloapu family are placing no pressure on the teenager to make an immediate call to undergo surgery, if it is required.

Karl Oloapu celebrates with his family after Bulldogs debut. Picture: NRL

He will be given as much time as he needs to decide his next move.

One of Canterbury’s great hopes for their future, Oloapu signed a four-year deal with the Bulldogs last year.

He became one of the game’s youngest-ever players to make their NRL debut when Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo handed him a start in 2023 against the Gold Coast Titans in round 12 at just 18 years and 123 days.

Oloapu showed his resilience by battling bravely through the 2023 season, both in the NRL and NSW Cup, with the nagging feeling of pain in his neck.

The former Australian Schoolboys captain’s decision to recently withdraw from the Samoan Pacific Championships squad due to the pain has proven career-defining.

The pain is believed to be related to pressure on a disc or discs in his neck and back, which usually requires surgery.

Karl Oloapu played seven NRL games in 2023. Picture: NRL Photos

Oloapu has spent the past 48-hours researching both NRL stars and athletes around the world who have undergone sensitive neck or spinal surgery and who returned to the playing field to forge a career of the highest order.

Tamou, Scott, Leilua and Dugan have all had delicate neck-related surgery, which involved shaving the spine in order to release nerve pressure.

Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould and Ciraldo have spent the past 24 hours offering Oloapu and his family support ahead of his meeting with a specialist next week.

STAR ROOSTERS RECRUIT HOSPITALISED

- Dean Ritchie

Star Sydney Roosters recruit Dom Young has been laid up in an English hospital for more than a week fighting a “frightening” infection which spread to his brain.

This masthead spoke with Young’s manager, Michael Cincotto, who revealed his client had battled severe headaches and swelling around his face.

He couldn’t face bright lights.

It is now unlikely Young will play any of England’s three home Tests against Tonga.

At one point last week, one of Young’s eyes had closed and his infection had to be drained.

Young had what he thought was a minor sinus issue when he flew back to England but the long flight inflamed the infection and he missed last weekend’s first Test against Tonga, won 22-18 by England in St Helens.

Dominic Young is expected to spend another week in hospital. Picture: Jonathan Ng

While now recovering well, Young isn’t due to be discharged from hospital for another week as a precautionary measure.

Young, the former Knights winger, has come through the worst period of his illness and will be ready for the Roosters opening round game against Brisbane in Las Vegas.

Once strong enough, he will return home and start immediate training with the Sydney Roosters.

“It’s a sinus infection so it’s brain related,” Cincotto said.

“It could have been bad or can be bad but his recovery, and the signs he is showing every day, it’s obvious the antibiotics are working.

“It was pretty frightening.

“It’s come out of the blue and was something that definitely needed to be sorted. It pushed his condition over the edge. He wasn’t good.

“Dom had severe headaches.

Dom Young has been in hospital for a week. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

“The flight exacerbated the infection, pushed it out and created this issue. Essentially it’s a sinus infection. It just went bang after the flight.

“He was admitted to hospital to get it checked out. He is doing well and there are really good signs. I had a really good chat with him yesterday and he said his recovery has been great, from where he was.

“Dom will be ready to go for the (NRL) season, without any doubt. There won’t be issues with that. He is walking around (in hospital) and there isn’t any real cause for concern.

“My gut feel is that he probably won’t play for England at all in these next couple of games.”

Young played a key role in Newcastle’s charge into the NRL finals this year, scoring a remarkable 25 tries.

England coach Shaun Wane told NRL.com: “He’s in hospital with an illness (and) will be assessed next week.”

Meanwhile, Bulldogs young gun Karl Oloapu is facing neck surgery after battling a nagging injury for most of the 2023 season.

Oloapu was earlier ruled out of the Pacific Championship for Samoa, with his immediate future now resting on his recovery from surgery.

Originally published as NRL Casualty Ward: Young Bulldog’s career-defining decision, star Roosters recruit hospitalised