Canberra Raiders star Corey Harawira-Naera is more than likely facing an early rugby league retirement after he suffered a seizure on the field while playing against South Sydney in round 13 of last season.
The Raiders have been assessing Harawira-Naera’s condition with hopes the 28-year-old could return to play in 2024, but the outlook has been getting more and more unlikely.
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Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has told Wide World of Sports that the most likely course of action now is for the second-rower to stop playing first-grade footy for the sack of his long-term health. While the Raiders were eager to help him return to play, the club is coming to the realisation its unlikely to be the safest option.
“It is really sad for the kid… it’s a tragedy actually,” Stuart said.
“The medical reports we are getting is that he is very unlikely to play again. At 28, that’s tough and he has been good for us. But we are supporting him and looking for a pathway for him after football. We would like to keep him in the game and in the club.”
The Auckland-born international has played 122 games in the NRL since debuting in 2017, including a 55-game run with the Raiders. Before moving to the nation’s capital he played for the Panthers and then the Bulldogs. He left the Bulldogs after being stood down by the club for an incident in Port Macquarie which he later had overturned on appeal.
The Raiders have reached out to the NRL regarding possible salary cap relief. The Sporting Base understands the club would likely be successful considering the 28-year-old’s situation.
