The Challenge Cup games this past weekend saw some brilliant rugby league action but it sadly saw a number of Super League stars pick up nasty injuries.
Challenge Cup action began on Saturday evening when Hull KR avenged last year’s defeat in the final by knocking out holders Leigh Leopards, a second-half comeback seeing them win 26-14.
What followed that evening was the shock of the round of Huddersfield Giants won on the road in France against Catalans Dragons and in dominant fashion.
Ian Watson’s side put on a show as they won 34-6 to make the semi-final stage for the second time in three seasons where they’ll now face Warrington Wolves.
Sam Burgess’ debut year as a head coach continues to flourish with Warrington showing true grit to overcome St Helens and put on a show in the second half, recovering from 8-7 down to run out as easy 31-8 victors.
George Williams put in a captain’s knock and a real Man of the Match performance and he capped it off with a try as Warrington ran in four second-half tries to hand Saints a second consecutive defeat.
Earlier that day Wigan Warriors had eased through with a 60-6 win over Castleford Tigers, a game that has seen Craig Lingard since come out and criticised his team’s defensive attitude.
Matt Peet’s side scored 12 tries and making matters worse for Castleford, the two teams meet again in Super League this week with the Tigers hoping for a huge improvement.
Four sides now head into the Challenge Cup semi-finals but it wasn’t all positives with a number of major injury concerns evident over the weekend.
Super League Injury Concerns
Credit: Imago Images
Perhaps the most significant injury would be the “horrific” one sustained by Willie Isa in the first half of Wigan’s win over Castleford Tigers.
The forward was stretchered from the field with what Matt Peet described in his post-match notes as a dislocation and break in his lower leg.
The Super League champions later confirmed via social media that Isa had suffered a “fracture dislocation injury to his ankle”, adding that he was “in good spirits” and will be assessed early this week.
Injury Update: Unfortunately Willie Isa sustained a fracture dislocation injury to his ankle – he is currently comfortable and in good spirits.
Willie will undergo specialist assessments early this week to guide his recovery plan and we will be able to provide a further update… pic.twitter.com/qBPLgosacT
— Wigan Warriors 🍒⚪️ (@WiganWarriorsRL) April 14, 2024
Joe Westerman’s injury issues persisted with the Castleford Tigers forward struggling late in the game with the calf injury that had put him in doubt for the clash.
Saturday’s action saw Leigh forward Tom Amone return from injury but there was an update on the absent Robbie Mulhern and Gaz O’Brien, Adrian Lam confirmed both men look to be out for six weeks with calf tears.
That’s another blow in the long list of injury issues that Leigh have had this season.
Willie Isa (Wigan Warriors) – Ankle
Joe Westerman (Castleford Tigers) – Calf
Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards) – Calf
Gaz O’Brien (Leigh Leopards) – Calf
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