NRL Casualty Ward: Maroons’ Hammer boost; Hopgood set for surgery
The Maroons have received a major boost with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow cleared of a serious shoulder injury.
The outside back suffered the injury during the first half of Wednesday’s State of Origin loss to the Blues. He left the field before returning in the second half.
Scans have confirmed a grade one AC joint injury ruling Tabuai-Fidow out of his club match for the Dolphins against St George Illawarra on Sunday. Trai Fuller is likely to feature in his place.
In positive news, however, Tabuai-Fidow is expected to be available for selection for next month’s Origin decider.
“The reality is that if we did not have a bye next week he would be right to go for the Dolphins,” Dolphins head of performance Jeremy Hickmans said.
“Because of the third Origin camp he is unlikely to play for us against the Rabbitohs on July 11.
“The injury looks pretty good at the moment and should not cause him any trouble in his next game, which will most likely be for Queensland.”
The Storm were dealt a blow on Friday with fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen dropping out of the side to face Canberra due to a bruised foot.
Papenhuyzen had only just returned in Round 16 after five games out with a fractured ankle.
The Storm will also be without Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who is being rested after playing 41 minutes in Origin Two.
Newcastle have also been forced into a late change with Dylan Lucas ruled out of Saturday’s clash with the Eels after battling hamstring tightness throughout the week.
Knights coach Adam O’Brien said scans have cleared the forward of serious injury but opted against risking him. Kai Pearce-Paul will start in his place, with Mat Croker set to come on to the bench.
“Scans have cleared him during the week of anything major but he just can’t get rid of the tightness,” O’Brien said. “History will tell you that if you push those, they can turn into a big thing. At the moment, this will go away pretty quickly. Given how important he is to us, we won’t risk him this week.”
