Wests Tigers prop Stefano Utoikamanu facing long stint on sideline
Wests Tigers’ horror start to the season has suffered another blow with one of their best forwards facing a long stint on the sidelines.
By Michael Carayannis
Wests Tigers have suffered a further blow with boom prop Stefano Utoikamanu sustaining a syndesmosis injury and could miss about 10 weeks.
The Tigers were sweating on the results of scans on Saturday to reveal the full extent of Utoikamanu’s injury but there are fears it could sideline the 21-year-old long-term. He was seen leaving Campbelltown Stadium on crutches and officials have genuine concern for his immediate playing future.
The Tigers will now be without argurably their three best players with Utoikamanu joining Adam Doueihi and Jackson Hastings now watching on.
The Tigers could now be without nine first string players ahead of their clash against the Titans on Thursday as they face the real prospect of a winless month to start the season.
The Tigers are hopeful Ken Maumalo (ankle) and James Roberts (quad) – who both missed Friday’s loss against the Warriors – will be fit to play the Gold Coast. But they may be forced to skip another game because of a short turnaround.
Back-rower Kelma Tuilagi (concussion) is considered the best chance of taking his spot back in the Tigers side.
The Tigers will certainly be without half Jackson Hastings (suspension) while Shawn Blore, Adam Doueihi and Tommy Talau (all knee) plus Asu Kepaoa remain on the long-term injury list.
In some good news for the Tigers, interchange forward Alex Seyfarth was cleared by the match review committee despite being placed on report.
Teammate Jake Simpkin was the only player charged by the match review committee following Friday’s clash. He has been fined for a crusher tackle.
Meanwhile, the NRL are expected to announce a decision on George Burgess’ immediate playing future by Monday.
Burgess did not play for St George Illawarra on Thursday night just days after being charged for sexually touching a person without consent.
It’s really gonna stretch us, but if we put in like we did against the warriors I’ll be happy. Such a shame for Stefano as he could have pushed for rep honours. Time for the likes of Musgrove and probably Joe O to step up in his absence.
We are absolute certainties for the spoon.
We are absolute certainties for the spoon.
Or sadly back us for least amount of wins. Should be easy money!
The worrying thing is every other team at this point looks a fair bit stronger than us. Last week I thought the Cowboys weren’t terrible and they have a couple of quality players in that side. Bulldogs are much more competitive and the Warriors should be boosted by their NZ return. Manly will find their feet too.
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That sucks
Speedy recovery Utoikamanu..
The worrying thing is every other team at this point looks a fair bit stronger than us. Last week I thought the Cowboys weren’t terrible and they have a couple of quality players in that side. Bulldogs are much more competitive and the Warriors should be boosted by their NZ return. Manly will find their feet too.
All the other teams near the bottom with us last year have improved, both in rosters and development. We’ve gone backwards
The worrying thing is every other team at this point looks a fair bit stronger than us. Last week I thought the Cowboys weren’t terrible and they have a couple of quality players in that side. Bulldogs are much more competitive and the Warriors should be boosted by their NZ return. Manly will find their feet too.
All the other teams near the bottom with us last year have improved, both in rosters and development. We’ve gone backwards
Yep, and it’s not just injuries and suspensions
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And another one bites the dust.
Looks like up to 10 weeks on the sidelines for the big guy.
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Looks like up to 10 weeks on the sidelines for the big guy.
Scans back already...?
Seyfarth being able to play for us is a massive liability ......I'm sick of the star treatment he gets every week .....how many times does the bloke need to be part of the reason we lose games before the light turns on .....
Seyfarth being able to play for us is a massive liability ......I'm sick of the star treatment he gets every week .....how many times does the bloke need to be part of the reason we lose games before the light turns on .....
Ive been with you this year before Friday. He put in on Friday and I was happy with him
Seyfarth being able to play for us is a massive liability ......I'm sick of the star treatment he gets every week .....how many times does the bloke need to be part of the reason we lose games before the light turns on .....
I hear ya. We do tend to overrate our players.
Seyfarth being able to play for us is a massive liability ......I'm sick of the star treatment he gets every week .....how many times does the bloke need to be part of the reason we lose games before the light turns on .....
Ive been with you this year before Friday. He put in on Friday and I was happy with him
We had them on toast in their 10 metre zone and he gives away a stupid penalty .......the blokes a trier and we probably wish we could give those assets to blokes in the line up with more skill .....but you can't ....again this bloke replaced Eisenhuth basically ......and he ain't a pigment on the Huth
