Just days after confirming that star halfback Luke Metcalf is out for the season with a torn ACL, the New Zealand Warriors have been dealt another blow: fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will also miss the next month after injuring his knee against Brisbane.
The double setback came during Saturday’s bruising Round 17 clash at Suncorp Stadium, where Metcalf was chopped down by Broncos forward Brendan Piakura in the 67th minute and had to be helped off the field.
Scans have since confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, ruling him out for the remainder of the campaign.
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Coach Andrew Webster, already dealing with injuries to co-captain Mitch Barnett and winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, now faces a major reshuffle as the business end of the season looms.
Nicoll-Klokstad joins lengthening casualty ward
Adding to the chaos, Nicoll-Klokstad suffered a lateral collateral ligament sprain just before half-time while attempting to stop Gehamat Shibasaki from scoring. Though he returned briefly in the second half, he was replaced almost immediately. He’s now expected to be sidelined until Round 21.
The 28-year-old is likely to be replaced by Taine Tuaupiki, while Te Maire Martin or uncapped recruit Tanah Boyd will step into Metcalf’s No. 7 jersey.
Boyd, who played 69 NRL games for the Titans, has been instrumental in the Warriors’ NSW Cup side and is now set for a senior debut at his new club.
The Warriors’ updated injury list includes Barnett (season), Watene-Zelezniak (ankle), Ali Leiataua (ankle), and now both Metcalf and Nicoll-Klokstad, a daunting prospect for a side still in the finals hunt.