Warriors star locks in return date; Dolphins duo sidelined after brutal season opener — Casualty Ward

The first game of the season for standout fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of the

Warriors is scheduled for Round 4 against the Knights.

 

Nicoll-Klokstad is expected to play again on March 31 after recovering from a

hamstring injury he sustained during the preseason.

Nicoll-Klokstad is strengthening his integration into “some team skills and

game-specific running capacities,” according to Balin Cupples, head of performance at Warriros.

Warriors backrower Marata Niukore is now without a protective boot following

a slight foot fracture sustained in the Preseason Challenge. A comeback date has not yet been established.

DOLPHINS DUO INJURED

Connelly Lemuelu had a grade two tear of his right knee’s medial ligament last weekend, according to the Dolphins.

 

The Samoan international will be out for the upcoming month and hopes to play

in Round 6 against the Broncos, the Dolphins’ crosstown rivals.

 

“A collision with another player caused Connelly’s injury,” stated Jeremy

Hickmans, head of performance for the Dolphins.

 

“It is anticipated that he will miss four games due to injury, but thankfully, surgery will not be necessary.”

 

While playing for Samoa last year, Lemuelu sustained a posterior cruciate

ligament injury, although it happened to his left knee.

 

Lock Ray Stone is not just out of the game against the Dragons but also in the concussion protocol.

RABBITOHS’ NERVOUS WAIT

Origin back-rower Jai Arrow might miss the entire season for the South Sydney

Rabbitohs, as they await a surgeon’s assessment of his rotator cuff injury.

 

In Souths’ Las Vegas debut against Manly, Arrow strained his rotator cuff. He is now eagerly awaiting the outcome.

 

Foxsports.com.au was able to confirm with Arrow’s management that the

player hopes to recover in six weeks, but if surgery is needed, he will miss the entire season.

 

Star center Campbell Graham of the Souths has already been lost to a

sternum injury that appears to keep him out of action for six months.

 

Graham’s injury could cause Arrow to miss the remainder of the season, which

would be devastating to Souths’ chances of winning the championship.

 

Due to his suspension until Round 3, Jack Wighton and winger Tyrone Munro is

recovering from an injury sustained during the preseason.

In the upcoming two weeks, the Souths play the Broncos and the Roosters, and

they may begin the season with a 0–3 record.

 

After Souths’ terrible collapse in the previous season, which saw them go

from leading after 11 rounds to missing the finals, Jason Demetriou is already under fire.

 

The 28-year-old Queensland forward struggled with injuries last season,

playing just 14 games; therefore, a second season marred by injuries would

be devastating to Arrow and Souths’ aspirations of winning the premiership.