Kangaroos forward Cameron Murray was ruled out of the Pacific Cup final against the Kiwis with tendonitis.
Coach Mal Meninga said the South Sydney star has been carrying the hamstring tendon injury throughout the season but it was reaggravated during Wednesday’s training session.
“We knew Muzza was carrying some tendonitis on the top of his hamstring,” Meninga said pre-game.
“He’s been carrying that injury all year so he’s been playing with it but unfortunately at our session on Wednesday it fired up again a bit and we couldn’t quite get it right for the game.”
Meanwhile, Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radleywas ruled out of the England side for the third and final Test against Tonga at Headingley with a groin strain.
Fiji and Panthers flyer Sunia Turuvamissed the Pacific Bowl final against Papua New Guinea with an ongoing calf injury.
Dolphins forward Connelly Lemuelu will have further checks conducted on his knee after picking up an injury while away with Toa Samoa for the Pacific Championships.
New Roosters recruit Dom Young was ruled out of England’s Test series against Tonga after a sinus infection spread throughout his head and forced him to be hospitalised.
Young is reported to be on the mend and is expected to make a full recovery in time for his new club’s 2024 season opener in Las Vegas.
Penrith five-eighth Jarome Luai has had surgery on the shoulder he dislocated late in the season before bravely returning to play in the preliminary final and premiership decider.
In further NRL news the Dragons report that fullback Tyrell Sloan suffered an ankle injury playing in the Koori Knockout and will be in rehab until mid-December but won’t miss any games in 2024.
Fellow Dragons Jaydn Su’A and Jack Bird are both recovering from shoulder injuries but are on track to return to pre-season training and will be good to go by the time the trial games roll around in February.