Key Injuries Impacting the Upcoming Matches
Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed that star winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is set to undergo surgery for a syndesmosis injury, which will keep him out of the State of Origin series opener later this month. The injury occurred during the recent match at Allianz Stadium, where several players were forced off the field due to various issues.
Nawaqanitawase was one of the standout performers in the game, but his injury came early in the first half when his foot became trapped under teammate Robert Toia. Despite his efforts, he was unable to continue and had to leave the field. The former Wallaby expressed his desire to represent the Blues, but his upcoming return to rugby next year may now be in doubt.
Blues coach Laurie Daley mentioned that Nawaqanitawase was in contention to partner Brian To’o on the wing, alongside Campbell Graham and Josh Addo-Carr. However, with surgery expected, he will be sidelined for 6-8 weeks, ruling him out of the May 27 clash.
Robinson confirmed the nature of the injury, stating, “It’s (his) syndesmosis, he looks like he’ll have an op.” This development adds to the challenges faced by the Blues as they prepare for the upcoming series.
Additional Player Concerns
The list of injured players continues to grow, with Queensland enforcer Lindsay Collins ruled out of next Friday’s trip to Gosford after failing a head injury assessment. Collins was in good condition during the game but wasn’t deemed fit to return to play.
Blues veteran Angus Crichton also required scans on a knee injury that forced him off midway through the second half. His coach described the injury as a medial issue, adding, “Gus was a medial. We’re having a look at that to see where he’s at so he’s getting scans now.”
Crichton’s injury highlights the physical toll of the sport, with players often pushed to their limits. “I probably could have left him out there, but he needed work multiple times, so that’s medial,” the coach added.
Broncos’ Adjustments and Challenges
On the other side, the Broncos are making adjustments following the loss of key players. Tom Duffy will step in for Adam Reynolds in the upcoming match against Manly. Reynolds suffered a head knock during the game, which forced him off the field.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire praised Duffy’s performance, saying, “He came in a couple of weeks ago and showed what he’s capable of. I thought he went out there today and steered the team around.”
Maguire also confirmed that injured stars like Payne Haas and Ben Hunt won’t be available next week. Wingers Josiah Karapani (ankle) and Deine Mariner (cork) are also in serious doubt. Mariner had to leave the field in the first half but returned later in the game when Karapani got his foot trapped in a tackle.
“Deine probably shouldn’t have gone back out, but that’s what they’re doing for each other,” Maguire said, expressing pride in the team’s resilience. Despite the challenges, the Broncos managed to come within six points of the Roosters after being down 30-0.
Controversial Incidents and Future Implications
The Broncos are also awaiting decisions from the match review committee regarding strike centre Kotoni Staggs, who was sent to the sin bin for an elbow to the back of Hugo Savala’s head following a tackle late in the game. This incident proved pivotal in the Roosters’ comeback, as they scored eight points in the final eight minutes.
Lock forward Patrick Carrigan took responsibility for an earlier error that led to the Roosters gaining momentum. “To be honest, that was my fault,” he admitted. “I made an error down in the good ball set, just a loose carry and I turned over the ball and put us on the back foot.”
Carrigan also acknowledged Staggs’ aggressive style of play, saying, “I know ‘Tones’ (Staggs) plays aggressively but I know he wouldn’t have meant to do any harm.” He emphasized the importance of playing hard and fast, while also recognizing the need for smarter decision-making.
