Injuries rock Rabbitohs preparation
THE Titans’ injury curse has struck again with several players racing the clock to be fit in time for Friday night’s crunch match against the improving Rabbitohs in Sydney.
Three Gold Coast players were forced off with injury in the Titans’ 34-12 loss to the New Zealand Warriors at Robina on Saturday, leaving coach Neil Henry with a problem that has been all too familiar this season.
Konrad Hurrell, Kane Elgey and Karl Lawton were forced off during the Warriors clash and are racing the clock to be fit for Friday’s clash.
Hurrell sent a massive scare through the Titans camp when he was helped from the field following an ankle injury late in the match.
The strike centre left the ground with his right ankle in a moon boot but Henry said there was a hope he could recover in time to play Souths.
“I don’t think it’s as bad as he (initially) thought, it’s the other ankle, not the one he injured before, so hopefully they can make a recovery for next week,” Henry said.
Hurrell himself seemed hopeful he would could recover and his presence would be a boon for the Titans, who will be without Jarryd Hayne and Nathan Peats, on Origin duty with NSW.
Jarrod Wallace is also likely to be out – either through suspension or on Origin duty with Queensland – meaning the Titans will be down at least three players regardless of whether their injured stars can back up. While television commentators said Elgey had dislocated his shoulder, Henry confirmed after the match the half was battling a sternum problem and hoped to recover in time for Friday’s match.
Lawton left the ground with a shoulder injury after having “movement” in the joint he dislocated earlier this season.
Dan Sarginson (shoulder) and Chris Grevsmuhl (shoulder) remain on the long-term injury list, while Tyrone Roberts (shoulder) missed Saturday’s match.