NRL 2024, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership season

NRL Casualty Ward: Ford injures knee; Wests Tigers' loss comes at a cost

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 26 Jul 2024, 10:06 PM

The Wests Tigers 28-16 loss to the Warriors has come at a cost, with four players at risk of missing next week's game.

The visitors finished the match without a healthy player on the bench. Winger Luke Laulilii left the field early in the second half for a head injury assessment and was later ruled out for the match.

Starford To'a suffered a hamstring injury that coach Benji Marshall fears could lead to an extended stint on the sidelines. Lachlan Galvin and Isaiah Papali'i also failed to finish the match.

Marshall was unable to give an update on what the exact injuries are but said they are in doubt for next week's clash with the Cowboys.

Papali'i was playing his first match since he suffered an ankle injury in Round 12.

For the Warriors, Jackson Ford suffered a knee injury, with the exact severity still to be determined.

The Cowboys and Sharks will each be without a damaging forward after a pair of late changes prior to Saturday's clash between the two sides.

North Queensland back-rower Heilum Luki will miss the game with a hamstring strain after failing to prove his fitness at training on Friday. In positive news, winger Murray Taulagi has been cleared to return from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 18.

Cronulla forward Royce Hunt did not travel with the team to Townsville due to illness, with 29-year-old Jayden Berrell set to make his long-awaited debut off the bench. Hunt is recovering and a chance of playing reserve grade this weekend.

Eels star Mitchell Moses has undergone surgery on a biceps rupture and will commence rehabilitation with an aim to return to training in the 2025 pre-season.

The halfback suffered the injury during his series-winning performance for NSW in the State of Origin decider in Brisbane.

The Eels have also lost promising youngster Charlie Guymer (ankle) and forward leader Junior Paulo (foot) for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, Manly youngster Lehi Hopoate is facing 4-6 weeks on the sideline with a facial fracture.

He suffered the injury in a tackle in the 12th minute at 4 Pines Park on Sunday and swelling built up in the eye as the first half progressed before it was almost completely closed over.

The Knights lost Blues Origin centre Bradman Best after just 10 minutes in Newcastle on Saturday night as he suffered another hamstring injury.

Best chased back hard in defence to try and run down Reece Walsh but immediately felt for his hamstring and was taken from the field.

"They are thinking low-grade, but it's the other hammy from earlier in the year," coach Adam O'Brien told media post-match.

"He had some awareness, tightness after the Canberra game leading up to Origin and that was cleared so it's not that one, it's the other one."

On the way back in Round 21 are Storm superstar Cameron Munster, who is listed among the reserves as he nears a return from a groin injury suffered in Round 11, as well as Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau (calf) and Broncos winger Selwyn Cobbo (groin).

Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona will make his return from a hamstring issue but the news was less positive for teammate Alec MacDonald who picked up a shoulder injury and is facing 1-2 weeks on the sidelines.

Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has been named in the reserves as he closes in on a return from a hamstring injury suffered in Round 18.

The Panthers will be without fullback Dylan Edwards for 2-4 weeks after he suffered a knee injury during Origin Three while winger Paul Alamoti has undergone surgery on a broken arm but is expected to be back before the end of the season.

The Warriors were dealt a double blow during their clash with the Raiders, with fullback Taine Tuaupiki and centre Adam Pompey both ruled out of the match.

Tuaupiki was pulled from the field after a call from the independent doctor and failed his HIA, while Pompey was assisted from the field at halftime with a knee injury.

Warriors captain Tohu Harris has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery for a chronic wrist injury.

The veteran forward has been carrying the issue for most of the year, missing four games in the middle of the team's campaign before returning to the field.

The Dolphins have meanwhile announced the Euan Aitken will miss the remainder of the season after surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

"The surgery went very well and it generally has a recovery time of three to four months," Dolphins head of performance Jeremy Hickmans said.

"With that time frame it seems unlikely that Euan will play for the Dolphins again this year."

To view the complete NRL Casualty Ward, please visit the hub page.