Matthew Timoko's injury has led to Simi Sasagi excelling and starting for the Canberra Raiders in the 2026 NRL season.
One of the ongoing surprises to start the 2026 NRL season has been the overlooking of Canberra Raiders' centre Matthew Timoko by head coach Ricky Stuart.
While a foot injury hampered his preparation for the new campaign, the centre is now well and truly on the outside looking in thanks to the start to the season for his replacement, Simi Sasagi.
The utility, who at one point in time was seen as one of the best young halves in the game when he was progressing through the junior system at the Newcastle Knights, has become one of the more important players in the nation's capital for his consistency and his versatility.
Typically, he has been used in the second-row, but has had no problems slotting in at centre, and has now taken the opportunity presented to start the 2026 campaign with both hands.