Egan books visit to dentist after cheap shot
The Warriors’ Wayde Egan will need to visit the dentist today to repair the two cracked teeth caused by Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
The Storm forward slammed his forearm into the face of Egan in the fourth minute of their 24-12 win at Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium on Friday night
Remarkably, Asofa-Solomona and Josh King, who appeared to eye gouge Jazz Tevaga, escaped any trip to the judiciary for their actions.
Egan was forced to have a HIA after Asofa-Solomona’s dodgy hit on him and although he passed it and completed the game, Egan said he’d have to see a dentist to repair the damage.
‘‘I got a couple of cracked teeth at the back, I don’t think it’s a broken jaw or anything so that’s a positive,’’ Egan said.
‘‘I thought I broke my jaw at the start, I heard a crack in the mouth area so I was a little worried. But I think it’s just a couple of cracked teeth, so I’ll sort that out.’’
To only come away with two cracked teeth is fortunate for the 24-year-old Egan as it could have been a season-ending injury.
Egan shied away from publicly criticising Asofa-Solomona, but
understands the Warriors are unhappy that a number of incidents from Storm players weren’t punished appropriately by referee Peter Gough and the bunker.
Friday’s game was an eventful one for Egan, who’s having his best season yet for the Warriors.
When five-eighth Chanel Harris-Tavita was forced to leave the game with a MCL injury, Egan moved into the halves, where he played exceptionally well, the highlight being a great pass to Edward Kosi to set him up for one of his three tries.
Egan said it was a long time since he’d played in that position, but he enjoyed the experience so much he’d be keen to do it again.
‘‘It was pretty foreign, I haven’t played an NRL game there. I think the last time I played there was in the 20s,’’ he said. ‘‘I was talking to the boys earlier, it’s probably a bit more fun out there, you’re less gassed and you can make defensive and attacking decisions.
‘‘I really enjoy it and who knows moving forward?’’
The Warriors have young hookers Freddy Lussick and Taniela Otukolo both signed through to the end of 2024, so it is possible Egan could eventually move to the halves on a more permanent basis. But that’s unlikely to happen anytime soon.
‘‘I’ll probably be back at nine next week, but it was really fun to play a different position and see what those guys go through,’’ Egan said.