Nathan Cleary will miss the Rugby League World Cup after suffering a compound fracture of his left ankle in Penrith’s preliminary-final loss to Newcastle, while team-mates Dylan Edwards and Isaah Yeo are also in doubt for Australia’s campaign. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary confirmed Cleary was waiting for surgery and revealed Edwards ruptured his PCL during the match, as Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland awaits the Match Review Committee’s decision on Monday morning.
Cleary ruled out of the World Cup
According to NRL.com, Kangaroos halfback Nathan Cleary will miss the World Cup after the compound fracture he suffered in Newcastle’s 22-14 win at Accor Stadium. The injury, and Crossland’s send-off, were covered live by The Sporting Base.
Ivan Cleary told the post-match press conference Cleary was in hospital waiting for surgery and that the halfback’s other foot — the stress-related injury that led to him starting on the interchange — was also broken and would need to be fixed. “He’s in hospital now just waiting for surgery,” Cleary said, per NRL.com. “He will have to get the other foot done as well because that was broken.”
Cleary had entered the match about 10 minutes before the incident after starting on the bench, a late call covered earlier by The Sporting Base.
Edwards and Yeo cast World Cup doubt
Ivan Cleary also said Dylan Edwards ruptured his PCL in the first half and played on, and that Isaah Yeo had been playing with a full ruptured pec. “We have probably just fallen apart a bit,” Cleary said. “The guy sitting next to me (Yeo) is also playing with a full ruptured pec, which I don’t know if that has been done before, and Dyl Edwards ruptured his PCL in the first half tonight, and he played on.”
NRL.com reported Edwards and Yeo are in doubt for the Kangaroos. Yeo, Australia’s captain, said he still wants to play but would need to speak with the club because prolonging the injury could affect the start of next season. “I will have to talk to the club because it will affect the start of next season if I prolong it, so that is probably a conversation for next week with the staff,” Yeo said, per NRL.com.
Penrith back Blaize Talagi also suffered an Achilles injury in the second half, which NRL.com said was a blow for Samoa’s World Cup campaign.
Crossland faces judiciary and Kiwis wait
Crossland was sent off by referee Gerard Sutton for the hip-drop tackle on Cleary. Sutton told Crossland and Knights captain Kalyn Ponga: “Initially he’s up high, he makes a definite action to twist. He comes down on the leg with weight. There’s extreme risk of serious injury. You’re off.”
No Match Review Committee charge or grading had been announced at the time of writing. AAP and Queensland reporting earlier on Sunday said charges are expected on Monday morning. NRL.com said Crossland was expected to play the No.14 role for the Kiwis, with Jeremy Marshall-King starting at hooker, and that Brandon Smith is likely to be his replacement if he receives a lengthy ban.
Who replaces Cleary for the Kangaroos?
Australia open the World Cup against New Zealand on Thursday 15 October at Allianz Stadium. NRL.com reported Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters will choose between Mitchell Moses, Sam Walker and Tom Dearden to partner Cameron Munster in the halves. Walker led the Sydney Roosters into the grand final against Newcastle four weeks after syndesmosis surgery. If Edwards is ruled out, NRL.com said former Kangaroos captain James Tedesco could be recalled. The Kangaroos squad is set to be named after the NRL grand final.
For more NRL coverage, see The Sporting Base’s report on the Cleary injury and Knights’ 22-14 win and the late call to start Cleary on the bench.
