The longer the scan results took to come back, the more Canberra Raiders fans started fearing the worst for Simi Sasagi. However, the star second-rower's second scan on his left shoulder brought 'pretty good news,' with the boom Raider set to miss just four to six weeks.
Raiders coach Ricky Stuart confirmed that the injury is not as severe as initially feared. 'It's pretty good news actually,' Stuart told The Canberra Times. 'It will all depend on how he responds to his rehab, but it looks like a four-to-six-week injury. Obviously we'll do everything we can to get him back as fast as we can, but it doesn't need surgery, there's no structural damage. We'll conservatively manage it, but we're hoping now with a good response to rehabilitation that it's a four-to-six-week injury.'
This is particularly good news given the Green Machine's second-row stocks are desperately low. Matty Nicholson (shoulder), Zac Hosking (concussion), Noah Martin (ankles), and even Joe Roddy (hand) were all unavailable for the Raiders' clash with ladder-leading Penrith on Sunday. While Stuart was hoping to welcome back Hosking after the bye, they are likely to lose Hudson Young to NSW Blues State of Origin camp on Monday.
Sasagi's Injury and Impact
Sasagi has emerged as one of the form centres in the NRL this season, but the Raiders' injury woes in the second row forced him to return to the forwards for the past two games. He copped a knock to his shoulder early in the first half against the Panthers and was forced off in the 31st minute. The 24-year-old had scans on Monday and then went for an extra scan on Tuesday, with results coming through on Wednesday.
Stuart described the injury as similar to a cork in the shoulder, which caused Sasagi to lose strength in his arm. He battled on for at least 15 minutes against the Panthers, tackling one-armed before eventually succumbing. 'The best way to describe it is it was like a big collision, a big knock - like a cork to the shoulder,' Stuart said. 'And he lost all strength in it, any type of strength that he had in his shoulder at half-time it was just done there. It was like a big contusion there to his shoulder. So that's why we're saying depending on his response to rehab it's how quickly they can get the actual strength and muscles working around the shoulder and strength back in the arm.'
Second-Row Depth Challenges
With Young expected to go into Origin camp next week, the Raiders will still be down on second-rowers. Hosking's return would mean Ata Mariota might have to play second row when the Green Machine returns after the bye to face the Redcliffe Dolphins at Canberra Stadium on Thursday week. Other options could be Jordan Uta or Sebastian Kris.
'We're hoping Hosko's going to be right,' Stuart said. 'I think we've got four of our five back-rowers all on the sideline. I often talk to you about this game where you need luck. Last year we were very fortunate in having a very, very limited amount of injuries and players missing games. This year it's turned right around in regards to the amount of players we have on the sideline.'
Horsburgh Avoids Suspension
Canberra Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh can breathe a sigh of relief after the NRL match review committee's charges dropped on Monday morning following the Raiders' 30-18 defeat to the Panthers. Horsburgh was twice put on report for tackles, one on Moses Leota in the 20th minute and again late in the game for a hit on Dylan Edwards. But the committee only charged Horsburgh for the first incident, with the careless high tackle earning him an $1800 fine with an early plea. It was the only charge from the game.
Horsburgh was pulled for a head injury assessment after the tackle on Edwards, but the club confirmed on Monday he had passed and there were no concussion concerns.
Other Injury Updates
The Raiders have been struck by several injury setbacks this season. Zac Hosking (concussion) and Xavier Savage (ankle) have been out of action but are aiming for a return after the bye this week, with the Raiders missing out on Magic Round. Young back-rower Joe Roddy is out for four to six weeks with a broken hand, and Josh Papali'i (calf) is still eyeing a return this season.
Coach Ricky Stuart said the squad were eager for 'rest' on the bye week. 'The bye has come at a really good time for us with these injuries we've got,' he said after the loss to Penrith. Following the bye, the Raiders have three straight home games, taking on the Dolphins, the North Queensland Cowboys, and the Sydney Roosters.
Raiders captain Joe Tapine said of Sasagi on Sunday night: 'He's in good spirits. I think he gets a scan [Monday] and the medical staff will look at him. But he's probably down because he only just got back from the hamstring [injury]. But he'll be right.'
