Knights forward ‘rushed to hospital’ after gruesome leg injury: NRL Casualty Ward

Newcastle Knights forward Kai Pearce-Paul has reportedly been rushed to hospital for emergency surgery after suffering a shin injury in his side’s win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday night.

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Pearce-Paul left the field in the 32nd minute. He was seen moments beforehand reaching down to his ankle and was attended to by a trainer.

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The extent of his injury remained a mystery until coach Adam O’Brien revealed in the press conference that Pearce-Paul’s injury, which was caused by a rogue boot, looked like a “shark bite.”

“I just saw a photo of it then and it nearly made me crook,” O’Brien said.

Fox League’s Yvonne Sampson later reported that Pearce-Paul had been “rushed to hospital for emergency surgery.” She added: “They are thinking that it was a stud down the front of his shin.”

It’s understood the 23-year-old suffered a six-inch gash in what is a very gruesome injury.

WARRIORS’ DOUBLE BLOW

The New Zealand Warriors were dealt a dual blow in their Round 25 loss to the Bulldogs after both starting centres left the field during the contest.

Adam Pompey suffered a knee injury early in the first half and attempted to push through, but left the field in the 22nd minute.

Warriors coach Andrew Webster confirmed post-game that Pompey would miss the rest of the season.

The home side were dealt another blow early in the second half when star centre Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was removed from the field with a concussion following contact with Stephen Crichton’s shoulder.

Tuivasa-Sheck suffered a Category 1 HIA, and will enter the NRL’s 11 day concussion protocols, meaning he will miss the Warriors’ final game of the season against the Sharks next week. They have the bye in Round 27.

BULLDOG’S SEASON OVER

Kurt Mann will miss the rest of the season in a devastating blow for the Bulldogs lock.

Mann left the field late in the Bulldogs’ win over the Warriors on Friday with a collarbone injury following a tackle.

The 31-year-old was seen grimacing after the tackle and immediately signalled to the Bulldogs bench before being substituted from the field.

Post-game, Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo provided no update on Mann’s fitness, but general manager of football Phil Gould revealed on Twitter that he had fractured his clavicle and will miss eight to 10 weeks.

TIGERS SWEAT ON VETERAN

Earlier in the round the Wests Tigers lost halfback Aidan Sezer to a shoulder injury during their win over Manly, with Benji Marshall fearing the worst for his No.7 post-game.

“Not good, something to do with his shoulder. He’ll get scans but it might be his last game of the year,” Marshall said.

INJURED IN ROUND 25

Kai Pearce-Paul (leg, TBC)

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (concussion, 2025)

Adam Pompey (knee, 2025)

Kurt Mann (collarbone, 2025)

Aidan Sezer (shoulder, TBC)

FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Payne Haas (foot, Round 26-27)

Reece Walsh (wrist, Round 26-27

Jack Gosiewski (arm, finals)

Ezra Mam (ankle, season)

Jock Madden (hamstring, indefinite)

RAIDERS

Pasami Saulo (back, 2025)

Zac Hosking (shoulder, 2025)

Corey Harawira-Naera (seizure/medical, indefinite)

BULLDOGS

Josh Curran (shoulder, TBC)

Karl Oloapu (neck, indefinite)

Ryan Sutton (knee, 2025)

Kurt Mann (collarbone, 2025)

SHARKS

Nicho Hynes (ankle, Round 26)

Kade Dykes (knee, 2025)

DOLPHINS

Mark Nicholls (head knock, Round 25)