NRL Casualty Ward: Fa’alogo blow for Storm; McLean, Bird to sit out final round

Storm fullback Sua Fa’alogo limped from the field midway through the second half of his side’s game against the Broncos with a suspected lower leg injury.

The Samoa international had started the match in place of the injured Ryan Papenhuyzen, but was unable to finish the game.

“Not quite sure how bad it is,” Storm coach Craig Bellamy said after the game.

 

“He thought he heard a pop in his hamstring, I don’t think he’s ever had a major injury before, but the medical staff don’t seem to think it’s too bad.

“So we’ll just have to wait to have a scan and go from there.”

In other news, Cowboys prop Jordan McLean will sit out his team’s regular season finale against the Bulldogs with a hamstring injury.

The veteran has managed hamstring concerns through much of the season and coach Todd Payten said his decision was a precautionary measure to ensure he is available for the opening week of the post-seas.

“If this is a final, we’d roll him out but given the risk associated with it, we decided to put him on ice so he’s 100% for the week later,” Payten told reporters on Friday morning.

Jack Bird will also miss St George Illawarra’s clash with the Raiders on Saturday with a minor back injury, with Canberra-bound youngster Savelio Tamale to make his NRL debut against his future club.

The Roosters’ worst fears have been confirmed after scans revealed ACL injuries for both halfback Sam Walker and hooker Brandon Smith.

The injuries came on a horror afternoon at Allianz Stadium on Sunday with Victor Radley and Nat Butcher also facing stints on the sidelines.

In a statement released on Monday afternoon, the Roosters confirmed Walker will undergo surgery for an ACL rupture in his left knee.

Smith injured both the MCL and ACL in his right knee in a hip-drop tackle by Elliott Whitehead. The hooker will be placed in a brace, with a decision on surgery to be made in the coming weeks.

Radley has been diagnosed with a fractured scapula after a collision in the second half of the loss to the Raiders. The Roosters have left the door ajar for him to return late in the season and he has been sent to see a shoulder specialist.