Huge star faces possible amputation

As Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and Salford Red Devils fight for play off spots and Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Catalans Dragons fight to be top of the league, all these teams who have dreams of Old Trafford are dreading the prospect of injuries.

This will be even more pronounced for players hoping to feature for England. However on the other side of the world one star has been ruled out of playing for Australia due to injury in the shape of star Latrell Mitchell.

The South Sydney Rabbitohs star has been ruled out with a hand injury that requires surgery and one option, according to reports, is having part of his pinky amputated.

This would be better for his overall health as it would the possibility of re-injury but would work against hand function and his career.

Speaking of injuries, former Wigan Warriors and Salford Red Devils Jackson Hastings knows about play off heart ache against Leeds Rhinos in 2021 in his last ever game in Super League in which the Warriors were nilled by the Rhinos.

Now he is facing more play off heart ache in 2023 with Hastings suffering an ankle injury against Canberra Raiders.

This means he has been left out of the side ahead of this weekend’s game against New Zealand Warriors.

This means reportedly Huddersfield Giants bound Adam Clune starts in the halves.

Leeds Rhinos signing Lachie Miller has been named in the squad but isn’t set to feature in the game.

Hastings continues to suffer with injury woes and play off heart ache which no doubt peaked in the 2020 Grand Final when a bouncing ball led Jack Welsby to score a winning try against the Warriors in Hastings’ best chance to win a title.

FRIDAY

Melbourne Storm vs Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park, 7.50pm AEST

Storm team: 1. Nick Meaney 2. William Warbrick 3. Marion Seve 4. Justin Olam 5. Reimis Smith 6. Cameron Munster 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Trent Loiero 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Alec MacDonald 15. Tom Eisenhuth 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Tariq Sims 18. Grant Anderson 19. Bronson Garlick 20. Tepai Moeroa 21. Tyran Wishart 22. Sualauvi Faalogo

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Fetalaiga Pauga 3. Paul Momirovski 4. Corey Allan 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Keary 7. Sam Walker 8. Fletcher Baker 9. Brandon Smith 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Siua Wong 12. Nat Butcher 13. Victor Radley 14. Sandon Smith 15. Egan Butcher 16. Terrell May 17. Angus Crichton 18. Drew Hutchison 19. Naufahu Whyte 20. Zach Dockar-Clay 21. Jake Turpin 22. Nathan Brown

SATURDAY

Warriors vs Newcastle Knights at Go Media Stadium, 4.05pm AEST

Warriors team:1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Te Maire Martin 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Mitchell Barnett 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris 14. Dylan Walker 15. Jazz Tevaga 16. Bayley Sironen 17. Josh Curran 18. Freddy Lussick 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Tom Ale 23. Edward Kosi

Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Dylan Lucas 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Brodie Jones 19. Enari Tuala 20. Fa’amanu Brown 21. Lachlan Miller 22. Jack Johns