London Broncos suffered an injury nightmare in their defeat to Bradford Bulls at the weekend, and the extent of those injuries have now been confirmed.
Jason Demetriou’s side bowed out of the Challenge Cup to the new Super League side, following a 26-8 loss.
However, it was a truly valiant effort as the club were forced to play the final 20 minutes of the game with 12 men, due to the amount of injuries they had picked up.
Papua New Guinea centre Alex Max has been confirmed as the worst of those injuries, after the club’s top try scorer was taken to hospital for a chest issue.
The former PNG Hunters man will miss around five weeks of action, and he will be joined by a number of his teammates in the medical room.
Former Wakefield man Jack Croft failed a HIA, though he shouldn’t miss any matches given that London have a bye this weekend. The back rower will now undergo the RFL’s concussion protocols before he can return to play.
Star signings Dean Hawkins and Reagan Campbell-Gillard also had to leave the field. The former NRL pair both picked up a calf injury, and were sent for scans to determine the extent of the issue.
Lewis Bienek is the final casualty. The 110-game London player also has a calf issue, and is also awaiting scan results to see how long he will be on the sidelines for.
There is currently no confirmed return date for Hawkins, RCG or Bienek, but one thing is for certain – London will be significantly hampered by those knocks, and will need their strength in depth to step up and perform well in their absence.
As mentioned, the Broncos don’t play this weekend, but following this weekend will have games against Swinton and North Wales Crusaders.
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