Hopgood was initially named to play, despite interim Eels coach Trent Barrett revealing the star lock was lucky to have even taken the field in Round 14 due to a nerve problem in his back, but withdrew from the squad on Friday night.
Hopgood was initially named to play, despite interim Eels coach Trent Barrett revealing the star lock was lucky to have even taken the field in Round 14 due to a nerve problem in his back, but withdrew from the squad on Friday night.
The 25-year-old could now be racing the clock to be part of Origin II on June 26 in Melbourne.
There’s better news for the Blues meanwhile, with Dylan Edwards (quad) and Liam Martin (foot) set to play for the Panthers in Round 15.
It comes after Penrith lost five-eighth Jack Cole and hooker Mitch Kenny to quad injuries suffered at training, with the late-week injuries seeing the Panthers granted an exemption to bring Trent Toelau into their revised 19-man squad on Friday, after not initially being named mid-we
Fifita has suffered a minor ankle injury and the Titans have chosen to rest him as a precaution, with the dynamic forward expected back in Round 16.
Raiders hooker Tom Starling is set to miss their Round 16 clash against the Wests Tigers are failing a HIA in the second half of his side’s loss to the Cowboys on Friday.
Jai Arrow left the field late in South Sydney’s win over the Broncos with what appeared to be a ribs injury, but post-match interim coach Ben Hornby didn’t believe there was any serious concern for his forward.
In a significant boost for New South Wales, forward Haumole Olakau’atu has been named to play for Manly after he was restricted to just 24 minutes last week with a calf injury.
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The Roosters were also dealt a blow ahead of the Saturday night clash, with winger Dom Young ruled out with a hamstring injury.
Titans back-rower David Fifita will miss his chance to press for a Maroons recall after an ankle injury ruled him out of Saturday’s game against Wests Tigers.