Rugby League News

Josh Papalii will miss 6-8 weeks of the NRL season due to a calf injury, impacting Canberra's forward pack.

Zero Tackle

Josh Papalii is set to miss a significant period of the NRL season after scans confirmed a partial tear of his calf, an injury sustained during the Canberra Raiders' win over the Melbourne Storm at GIO Stadium on Friday night.

The veteran prop underwent scans in the days following the match, with the club officially confirming the unwelcome news that he will be sidelined for six to eight weeks, a timeline that could see him miss up to a quarter of the remaining regular season.

Papalii's absence is a notable blow for Canberra, with the experienced forward a key pillar of their forward pack.

The Raiders will now look to their depth up front as they manage the loss of one of their most influential players through the coming rounds.

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Josh Papali'i may be sidelined for two months with a calf tear, missing State of Origin's opener.

The Canberra Times

The Canberra Raiders could be without star enforcer Josh Papali'i for two months after scans confirmed he suffered a partial calf tear.

Papali'i is expected to miss six to eight weeks due to the injury - the Green Machine's second blow in the wake of the Melbourne Storm win.

The Raiders also lost second-row gun Hudson Young for the next two weeks due to suspension for a high tackle.

Papali'i's absence rules him out of making another inspirational return for Queensland in the State of Origin opener in Sydney on May 27.

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With Shane Flanagan's exit, the Dragons' interim coach faces key selection decisions amid a challenging NRL Round 8.

Fox League

With Shane Flanagan gone after a 0-7 start to the season, everyone wants to know what the Dragons interim coach will do at the selection table this week. Is a $1m man in jeopardy of losing his spot?

Meanwhile, the Broncos have a massive Payne Haas-sized hole to replace in their forward pack - and that's not all.

Read on for NRL Team Tips for Round 8!

THURSDAY 23RD APRIL

Wests Tigers vs. Canberra Raiders @ Leichhardt Oval, 7.50pm

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Injuries lead to NSW Blues changes, with Ethan Strange as a potential State of Origin debut contender amid a halves battle.

The Australian

Injuries will force mass changes to the NSW Blues but a rising Canberra star Ethan Strange is a dark horse for a State of Origin debut in just over a month.

Already with a halves conundrum on his hands, Blues coach Laurie Daley has issued a challenge to Strange over the next four weeks, saying he wants the 21-year-old to put pressure on the experienced incumbents.

As it stands there's a three-way battle for the halves for Origin I with Nathan Cleary, Mitch Moses and Jarome Luai all hunting for the jersey for Origin I on May 27.

But at the State of Origin series launch at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday, Daley said he's backing the exciting Raiders star to push the trio.

"It's interesting. Nathan is playing really well, Mitch Moses played really well yesterday, Jarome's back, Ethan Strange for the Raiders is starting to play his best football," Daley said when asked about his options in the halves.

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