Tevita Tatola suffered a 5th metatarsal fracture (bone in the foot) - will require surgery with the Rabbitohs expecting a 12 week recovery time.

5th metatarsal fractures notorious for tricky healing process - one of the bones in the foot with poor blood supply.

This is exciting stuff - a sideline blood test that could rule out 96.5% of concussions with results ready in 15 minutes! Objective tests the future in this space.

The injured brigade are on the move for the Broncos, with Payne Haas (knee), Adam Reynolds (hamstring), Brendan Piakura (ankle) & Deine Mariner (back) all training this week in some capacity.

At this stage Broncos hope to have them all available for selection in Round 8 or 9.

Wayne Bennett is in significant doubt for the Dolphins Round 7 clash as he continues to recover from the flu. Hasn’t flown up with the team & may not be able to get there by Friday.

Influenza can be quite debilitating (especially a man-flu strain) - most recover within 5-7 days.

Zac Hosking will trial rehab for the next 2 weeks before a decision is made on surgery (via David Polkinghorne).

Often a fluid process after shoulder dislocations - reconstruction surgery will be required at some stage but sometimes players can attempt to delay this til postseason.

Ty Munro could be facing his 3rd collarbone fracture in the past 18 months - the re-fracture rate for these can be up to 25%!

With full healing the bone can arguably be stronger than before, but players usually return before that.

Tough bone to protect in rugby league!

Tui Kamikamica is expected to miss 3 weeks after suffering a calf strain in Round 6.

Is at least his 3rd calf injury in the past 3 years.

In hamstring injury news:

- Jazz Tevaga expected to miss 4-8 weeks (likely moderate-high grade strain)
- Murray Taulagi expected to miss 2-3 weeks (likely low grade strain)

Hamstring injuries are the most commonly occurring musculoskeletal injury in the NRL, year on year.

Ben Trbojevic is expected to miss 3 weeks after scans revealed a Grade 1 hamstring strain.

No surprise Manly will be cautious with Burbo’s return - already a high re-injury rate with hamstring strains + he is coming off 3 hamstring injuries in 2023.

Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi to miss 2-3 weeks with a hamstring injury. NRL PHYSIO

dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/supe…

Jayden Campbell is expected to miss 4 weeks after tearing his PCL (via Travis Meyn).

Even complete PCL tears not like ACL’s in that players rarely undergo surgery. Usual recovery - rehab & a 3-6 week return.

NRL EARLY MAIL
- Gold Coast Titans Jayden Campbell out for a month
- Nathan Cleary not back yet for Penrith Panthers 🏆🏆🏆
- Hammer's The Dolphins replacement
- Canberra Raiders Hosking blow

NRL PHYSIO #NRL The Courier-Mail

couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/supe…

Nathan Cleary officially ruled out of the game this week against the Tigers as he continues to rehab a hamstring injury.

Panthers are hopeful he will be available in Round 8 - would be a 5 week return to play after suffering the minor hamstring strain.

Dolphins training/team news

Jesse Bromwich confirms electric Trai Fuller, 27, will play fullback for The Dolphins in place of injured Hammer v Parramatta Eels in Darwin.

Kodi Nikorima (calf) completes session and is right to go.

Thomas Flegler (shoulder) won’t play.

AAP Sport

Head Injury Assessment Report - Round 6

Guide:
Passed - ✅
Failed - ❌
Final 15 minutes (result TBA) - ⏸️

Concussion “did you know” - there doesn’t need to be contact with the head in a tackle/collision for a concussion to occur - the brain can still move within the skull

He was barely able to run - not surprising with a nasty hip pointer. So how did Kalyn Ponga get over it so quickly? Pain-killing injections to the rescue!

But will he play and be back to 100% this week? What are the risks?

Round 6 Magic Sponge Podcast out now!