The Sharks were down to one man on the bench during their shock loss to the Tigers after Royce Hunt (calf), Dale Finucane (head knock) and Toby Rudolf (ankle) suffered injuries.
Hunt’s was a bizarre blow, with the prop injuring his calf whilst warming up.
The 28-year-old was preparing to take the field against the Tigers and suffered the injury according to Fox League’s James Hooper.
According to Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon, said he’s unsure of the status of his injured trio, but advised that Rudolf was in a “boot” with an ankle concern.
Read on for the NRL injury news from Round 3!
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TITANS’ NERVY WAIT AFTER STAR’S KNEE INJURY
Gold Coast captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui has suffered what appears to be a serious knee injury, compounding a tough day for the Titans.
It’s been a horrific start to the Des Hasler era at the club, with the Titans dropping to 0-2 after being thrashed by the Bulldogs 32-0, but the vision of Fa’asuamaleaui being assisted off in the second half is far more concerning.
Fa’asuamaleaui was in immediate pain and clutching at his right leg after being tackled by Bulldogs forwards Max King and Jacob Preston.
“It’s just unfortunate. It looks like King just slid down and he just gets twisted awkwardly by Preston over the top,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.
After being attended to by trainers for about a minute, Fa’asuamaleaui had to be helped off the field.
Fox League’s Matt Russell provided an update on the star forward.
“Medical staff still working and testing the knee,” Russell said.
Titans coach Des Hasler said the club would need scans to determine if the knee injury is an ACL or MCL.
“It’s definitely his knee, and at the moment that can range anywhere from ACL to MCL so once we get some confirmation through some scans we will know a bit more,” Hasler said.
“But it didn’t look good walking off did it… well if it’s not his ACL it’s a positive outcome, but until it’s confirmed we won’t worry about speculation.”
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COWBOYS’ COTTER CONCERNS
Cowboys enforcer Reuben Cotter left the field with an ankle injury after it was caught awkwardly in a tackle with only minutes left on the clock against the Dragons.
The Queensland representative immediately grabbed at his leg and hobbled off the field after being attended to by club medicos.
Cotter had his ankle strapped but it was revealed the injury wasn’t being considered serious in a big boost.
“They aren’t overly concerned about Reuben Cotter’s ankle, it was just precautionary to get him off,” Jake Duke said.
BRONCOS’ HUGE WALSH BLOW
The Broncos have confirmed superstar fullback Reece Walsh has suffered a facial fracture following his ugly head clash on Thursday night.
Walsh left the field in the first half of Brisbane’s game against the Panthers, having collided with centre Taylan May which cause a cut under his left eye.
The 21-year-old passed his HIA and attempted to return to the field, however his vision was obscured due to swelling around he eye.
In a club statement on Friday, the Broncos revealed that scans confirmed Walsh has suffered a facial fracture, with no return date announced.
“Reece was taken to hospital last night after we arrived back at the team hotel and underwent a CT scan which showed a facial fracture,” Broncos head of performance Dave Ballard said.
“As a result, he cannot fly home and is being driven back up to Brisbane today by our staff.
“We will be able to determine how much footy Reece will miss once the injury settles down and after we consult a specialist in coming days.
“Reece’s wellbeing is our priority and ensuring he is well looked after. We will get him safely back to Brisbane and then move forward.”
The NRL Physio is predicting Walsh will be out for a period of around four to six weeks.
Kevvie still optimistic despite big loss | 04:09
The news comes after Kevin Walters confirmed prop Payne Haas requires surgery on his knee and will miss four to six weeks.
Haas suffered the injury playing against the Rabbitohs last Thursday night and didn’t feature against the Panthers.
“He’s had some scans. It’ll be a four to six week injury,” Walters said on Fox League.
“He’ll have to have minor surgery on his knee. It hasn’t been right into the trials and into rounds one and two.
“The doctors have had a great look at him and they’re going to operate on him early next week. It’s minor surgery and we expect him to be out for four to six weeks.
“For me, that’s a great result. That’s much better than anything longer or missing half a season or even longer than that.
“Again, Payne’s one of those guys, ultra professional, I’d be surprised if he’s not back even earlier than that given the way he treats himself and his body.”
Meanwhile, Adam Reynolds was also sidelined following Round 2 due to a knee injury but was cleared of serious damage.
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MUNSTER’S RETURN DATE
Storm officials expect Cameron Munster to return from a lingering groin injury in Round 5 following their bye.
Melbourne initially thought Munster would be ready for the start of the season however the club struggled to get on top of the injury which kept flaring up.
But Storm general manager Frank Ponissi said they’re now confident the star five-eighth will return in Round 5 against the Broncos.
“Cameron is getting closer and we’re very hopeful Cameron will be back for the after the bye on Thursday fortnight,” Ponissi said.
Ponissi also confirmed young gun fullback Sua Fa’alogo was set to play in Round 3 but picked up a left ankle injury while playing for the North Sydney Bears last weekend.
Star prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) is a chance to play for one of the Storm’s feeder teams this weekend with an eye to returning alongside Munster in Round 5.
The Knights are the only injury-free club heading into Round 3, read on for the full NRL casualty ward.
ROUND 3 INJURIES
Reece Walsh (facial fracture) — Round 8-10
Taine Tuaupiki (head knock) — TBC
Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (knee/leg) — TBC
Reuben Cotter (ankle) — TBC
Royce Hunt (calf) — TBC
Toby Rudolf (ankle) —TBC
Dale Finucane (head knock) — TBC
FULL CASUALTY WARD
BRONCOS
Adam Reynolds (knee) — Round 4-5
Payne Haas (knee) — Round 8-9
Reece Walsh (facial fracture) — Round 8-10
RAIDERS
Seb Kris (head knock) — Round 4
Corey Harawira-Naera (seizure/medical) — indefinite
BULLDOGS
Josh Addo-Carr (shoulder) — Round 4
Poasa Faamausilli (head knock) — Round 4
Karl Oloapu (neck) — season
Ryan Sutton (knee) – season
SHARKS
Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) — Round 4
Kade Dykes (hamstring) — Round 3
Jesse Colquhoun (foot) — indefinite
Royce Hunt (calf) — TBC
Toby Rudolf (ankle) —TBC
Dale Finucane (head knock) — TBC
DOLPHINS
Ray Stone (head knock) — Round 4
Kodi Nikorima (head knock) — Round 4
Connelly Lemuelu (knee) — Round 6
Tom Gilbert (knee) — season
TITANS
Jayden Campbell (knee) — Round 4
David Fifita (pec) — Round 4
SEA EAGLES
Tommy Talau (leg) — Round 4
Josh Schuster (calf) — Round 4
Toafofoa Sipley (suspended) — Round 4
Matt Lodge (knee) — Round 6
Jason Saab (hamstring) — Round 7
STORM
Cameron Munster (groin) — Round 5
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) — Round 5
Sua Fa’alogo (ankle) — Round 5
COWBOYS
Heilum Luki (ankle) — Round 9
Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles) — mid-season
Coen Hess (knee) — season
Reuben Cotter (ankle) — TBC
EELS
Bailey Simonsson (head knock) — Round 4
Maika Sivo (suspended) — Round 4
Arthur Miller-Stephen (knee) — season
PANTHERS
James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) — Round 4-5
RABBITOHS
Jai Arrow (shoulder) — Round 8
Campbell Graham (sternum) — Round 20-22
DRAGONS
Jacob Liddle (head knock) — Round 4
Francis Molo (suspended) — Round 4
Hame Sele (hamstring) — Round 4-5
Jaydn Du’A (quad) — TBC
Corey Allan (knee) — season
ROOSTERS
Luke Keary (head knock) — Round 4-5
Spencer Leniu (suspension) — Round 10
WARRIORS
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring/back) — Round 5
Taine Tuaupiki (head knock) — Round 5
Marata Niukore (foot) — TBC
Edward Kosi (hand) — early rounds
Demitric Sifakula (knee) — indefinite
TIGERS
Latu Fainu (hamstring) — Round 4
Josh Feledy (shoulder) — Round 4
Solomone Saukuru (shoulder) — Round 4
Sione Fainu (foot) — Round 5
Starford To’a (ankle) — Round 11
Adam Doueihi (knee) — Round 17
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