NRL 2026, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership season

Casualty Ward: World Cup over for Ponga; Moses injures calf

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 16 Oct 2026, 03:43 PM

Kiwis fullback Kalyn Ponga will miss the remainder of the World Cup after breaking his arm in the opening game against the Kangaroos.

Ponga picked up the injury while tackling Cameron Munster early in the second half and battled on for another 20 minutes, even scoring a sensational solo try before he was replaced with 10 minutes to play.

The Knights superstar had his arm in a sling post-match and scans have confirmed he suffered a broken left arm. He will be sent for surgery immediately and will miss the remainder of the Kiwis' campaign.

Kangaroos halfback Mitchell Moses injured his calf during a torrid World Cup opener and could be in doubt for the remainder of the tournament.

Moses picked up a lower leg injury midway through the first half and initially battled on after receiving treatment. He lasted just two minutes of the second half, however, and limped from the field.

Moses was replaced by Tom Dearden and will now undergo further assessment to determine his World Cup fate.

Bears recruit Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the World Cup after suffering an injury at training with England in the lead-up to their opening game against Tonga in Perth.

Smithies has been replaced by Leeds second-rower Kallum Watkins, who will join Brian McDermott’s England squad on the weekend after receiving a late call-up.

Should Watkins feature, he will play in his fourth Rugby League World Cup after previously representing his country on home soil in 2013 and 2022 as well as in Australia when England progressed to the 2017 final.

McDermott said: "It's really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.

“Morgan had been great since we entered camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss.

“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England Performance Programme building into this World Cup.

"I look forward to welcoming him into camp as we step up our preparations."

Cook Islands has lost forward Marata Niukore with a groin injury sustained at training ahead of Sunday's match against Fiji, while star back Val Holmes was not named.

Holmes is still recovering from a syndesmosis injury sustained in St George Illawarra's Round 27 defeat of Parramatta.

Roosters prop Lindsay Collins will miss Australia's World Cup campaign due to a foot injury.

Collins played through the pain to help the Roosters to grand final glory and was initially named in Kevin Walters' Kangaroos squad but has since been ruled out and replaced by Lindsay Smith.

The Panthers have provided a promising update on the potential return of Dally M Medal winner Nathan Cleary after he underwent surgery on both legs.

The Penrith co-captain suffered a compound fracture of his left leg in the preliminary final loss against the Knights and was taken straight to hospital where he had an operation to insert a plate and screws

Coach Ivan Cleary confirmed post-match that Nathan would also require surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot which he had carried into the match.

"Who knows what an injury - these days - takes," said Panthers CEO Andrew Hill while talking to 2GB's Continuous Call team the day before the NRL grand final.

"What used to take three months, is now three weeks.

"The indication from the surgeon is everything going to plan.

"Round 1 to Round 4 we're expecting him to be back. As good as news as we could have hoped from a terrible, terrible injury."

Fellow Panther Blaize Talagi is facing six months of rehab after suffering a torn Achilles in the preliminary final while fullback Dylan Edwards injured his knee in the loss to the Knights.

Co-captain Isaah Yeo will delay surgery on his pectoral muscle so he can lead the Kangaroos in the World Cup.

"The injury is feeling good and I feel like I can perform at a level that the country needs," Yeo said at the announcement of the Kangaroos' World Cup squad.

"I wouldn't have put my hand up if I didn't think I could deliver."

Yeo confirmed he will have surgery on his pectoral muscle at the conclusion of the World Cup and aim to be back on the field in the early rounds of 2027.

Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall is facing a 4-5 month recovery period after having surgery on his shoulder.

Trindall dislocated his shoulder while scoring a try in Round 24 against the Raiders but initially put off surgery so he could return to play four weeks later, battling through two finals fixtures.

Trindall's teammate Toby Rudolf has undergone knee surgery and is facing 3-4 months on the sideline after having an MCL reconstruction.

Samoa enter the World Cup without powerhouse Payne Haas as he undergoes surgery on his hand after playing through the pain of a tendon issue through 2026.

Haas is expected to be fit for a move to South Sydney to start pre-season training at his new club.

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