NRL 2024, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2024 NRL Telstra Premiership season

NRL Casualty Ward: Murray undergoes surgery

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 6 Nov 2024, 05:47 PM

Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray has undergone surgery for a wrist injury sustained while in camp with the Kangaroos.

Murray suffered the injury during training in the lead up to Australia's 22-10 defeat of New Zealand in Christchurch, ruling him out of Sunday's Pacific Cup final against Tonga at CommBank Stadium.

South Sydney officials said the operation had been a success.

The Test and Origin forward's wrist will be immobilized in a cast for a six-week period, after which his progress will be assessed and a rehabilitation program implemented.

A time frame will be established once he has completed the initial six-week period post-operation.

Clive Churchill Medallist Liam Martin has been ruled out of the upcoming Pacific Championships after succumbing to injuries picked up throughout the NRL season.

The Penrith forward has carried shoulder and rib injuries in recent weeks. While he was initially named in the Kangaroos squad, he will now be replaced by Raiders star Hudson Young.

The change has triggered a reshuffle to the Prime Minister's XIII squad, with Tyran Wishart coming into the side to take on the Papua New Guinea PM's XIII in Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon.

Nat Butcher has also been ruled out of the match due to illness.

Meanwhile, the Kiwis have been dealt a major blow with Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes withdrawing from New Zealand's Pacific Championships campaign due to a neck injury.

“Jahrome is understandably shattered and we really feel for him,” Kiwi coach Stacey Jones said.

“He has had an outstanding year and he was going to play a key role for the Kiwis again.

“He was desperate to play and we thought, with some time on our side, he would come right with treatment but he has since received medical advice that he won’t be ready to play.”

Across the league, there have been a number of payers not considered for selection for the Pacific Championships due to injury.

The Kiwis are also missing Jeremy Marshall-King, who has undergone minor knee surgery but is expected to be right to start the pre-season when the club's senior players return.

Marshall-King's Dolphins teammate Connelly Lemuel has undergone a shoulder reconstruction and is looking at a five-month rehabilitation period.

That will have him back for the pre-season trials and give him a good shot of starting the season in round one for the Dolphins.

Panthers skipper Nathan Cleary is set for shoulder surgery while Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster will likely go under the knife for a groin injury.

New Zealand did not select Ronaldo Mulitalo (knee), Dylan Brown (knee), Kieran Foran (ankle), Moses Leota (shoulder), Brandon Smith (knee), Jeremy Marshall-King (knee), Briton Nikora (ankle), Kayal Iro (hamstring), Te Maire Martin (neck).

Panthers winger Brian To'o will also miss Samoa's tour of England after he picked up a knee injury in Sunday's grand final.

To'o, who has played in Penrith's four consecutive premiership wins, came from the field in the 59th minute after a knee clash and went up the tunnel to the dressing rooms.

He later returned to the sideline and spent time on an exercise bike before practicing passing and tackling with a trainer but did not return to the field.

To'o had already clocked up 213 metres from 22 runs when he was forced from the field in the decider.

Panthers back-rower Scott Sorensen made it back from a hamstring injury to play his part in the grand final victory.

Sorensen had missed both of the Panthers' finals wins but was thrown straight back into the starting side by Ivan Cleary, getting through 70 minutes of game time and running for 124 metres.

To view the complete NRL Casualty Ward, please visit the hub page.