Casualty Ward: Thewlis blow, more failed HIAs & Danny Levi suffers nasty injury
Picture by Richard Sellers/PA Wire/PA Images.
Keep up to date with the latest injury news in Casualty Ward, this week including Warrington’s Josh Thewlis, Danny Levi’s nasty injury and more failed HIAs.
Thewlis blow
Warrington Guardian’s Matt Turner has reported that Warrington will be without winger Josh Thewlis for their trip to Castleford under concussion protocols.
The 20-year-old was taken off after being hit on the head during the first half of Warrington’s 38-20 victory over Leigh last Friday. It means he will be sidelined for the mandatory 12 days and will miss this weekend’s trip to the Mend-A-Hose Jungle.
More failed head injury assessments
Castleford’s Mahe Fonua failed his head injury assessment during his side’s first victory of the season. The Tigers defeated Leeds 14-8 at home last Thursday to post their first points on the Super League table.
Huddersfield boss Ian Watson revealed that he will be without Josh Jones for next week’s visit of St Helens after the back-rower failed a HIA, while Bibby also faces a fitness fight after rolling his ankle.
Hull KR quartet Jordan Abdull, Dean Hadley, Frankie Halton and Mikey Lewis all had to leave the pitch to be assessed during their side’s 26-12 defeat against Catalans, with only Lewis returning to play.
That meant 18th man Will Dagger had to be called up during the match under current HIA protocols, the first time the rule has been in play since its introduction ahead of the 2023 season.
Head coach Willie Peters commented: “It’s not a great record to have, being the first team to have to use their 18th man, but we had four HIAs today and we’ll be missing guys next week because of it.”
Wakefield will be without key hooker Liam Hood for Friday’s game against Hull KR due to concussion protocol.
The Scotland international failed a head injury assessment in their 14-13 golden point defeat to Salford on Sunday afternoon.
Levi’s nasty injury
Canberra Raiders hooker Danny Levi is set for an extended period of time on the sidelines after suffering a nasty injury during his side’s win over Cronulla Sharks.
The Samoa international suffered a fractured jaw after coming off second best in a collision with forward Teig Wilton.
It was also reported that NRL officials were searching for Levi’s teeth on the field after the 26-year-old was left clutching his bloodied face.
Canberra Raiders hooker Danny Levi will have surgery on a fractured jaw tomorrow and is expected to miss an extended period.
We wish Danny all the best in his recovery and hope to see him back on the field soon. #WeAreRaiders
— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) March 20, 2023
Casualty Ward: Newman update
Leeds centre Harry Newman was taken off at half-time during his side’s defeat at the Mend-A-Hose Jungle, replaced by Luis Roberts.
However, there are no injury concerns for the 23-year-old. It was a pre-planned move by head coach Rohan Smith, with Newman only returning to action last week against Wakefield following his hamstring injury.
Wellens explains late Percival withdrawal
Mark Percival was a late withdrawal for St Helens ahead of Friday’s clash with Hull FC at the Totally Wicked Stadium, replaced by Tee Ritson.
Following the fixture, St Helens boss Paul Wellens explained his absence. He said: “Mark just pulled up with a tight calf in warm-up.
“He was saying, as you’d expect, that he’d be OK and could play. But what we’re not in the business of is taking silly risks with players, and important players like Mark.
“We’re not quite sure of the extent of the damage.”
Meanwhile, St Helens are hoping to have outside-back Will Hopoate back very soon. He is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, with the club taking extra precautions before putting him back on the field.
Partington timeframe and more on Lafai
Salford head coach Paul Rowley has confirmed that they will be without loose forward Oliver Partington for up to 10 weeks, with the key forward requiring a knee operation.
“Ollie Partington needs an operation on his knee so he will be around the 10-week mark or something like that,” Rowley told Love Rugby League.
“Knowing Ollie, he’ll be trying really hard in rehab to get back before that. The doctors and physios like to wrap you up and don’t give you back until you are 100% so we’ll see.”
Meanwhile, Tim Lafai was a surprise exclusion from the side’s fixture with Wakefield on Sunday. Rowley has since explained that the Samoa star is facing a spell on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury during training.
Our Casualty Ward feature is out every week with the latest injury news.
