Canberra Raiders NRL News

Fox League

The rugby league world will hold its collective breath when Storm star Ryan Papenhuyzen makes his return from a shattered patella this weekend after more than 12 months out of the game.

And while everyone has followed his journey closely, few know the trauma quite like Roosters skipper James Tedesco, who suffered a similar injury nine years ago while also playing against the Raiders.

Tedesco fractured his kneecap after colliding with Terry Campese just 15 seconds into the game, with the injury ending his season two years after his debut was ruined by a devastating ACL tear.

Papenhuyzen's injury was worse and has kept him sidelined for more than a year, but he'll ease his way back via the Queensland Cup in a bid to return to the NRL in time for the finals.

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Fox League

Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has revealed why he opted against shifting Dally M winner Nicho Hynes to fullback for Saturday's must-win game against the Rabbitohs in Perth.

Hynes put his hand up to move to fullback to replace the injured Will Kennedy, who could miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury he suffered in last week's loss to Penrith.

Hynes has plenty of experience in the role, having played there a fair bit with Melbourne, but has only worn the No.1 jersey once at Cronulla that resulted in a 30-10 loss to Canberra last season.

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Zero Tackle

Canberra Raiders outside back Harley Smith-Shields reportedly had his car packed and was ready to drive to Sydney, only for a loan deal to be pulled off the table at the last minute.

The Eels, who are looking for an edge on the run to the finals, reportedly had the Raiders' back in their sights on loan for the remainder of the season.

Smith-Shields is contracted in the nation's capital until the end of the year, and while all the talk was that he would feature in the best 17 last year, an injury ultimately prevented him from making it onto the field in the top grade.

The back, who can play wing, centre and fullback, would have added plenty to the depth at Parramatta, but according to Fox Sports, the Parramatta board pulled the offer off the table despite the desire of coach Brad Arthur to add him to the squad for the remainder of 2023.

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