Scans confirm devastating ACL blow to Warriors and NSW Blues prop Mitchell barnett
The New Zealand Warriors have been dealt a hammer blow with scans confirming gun prop Mitchell Barnett has suffered a torn ACL.
Four days after laying the foundation for the Blues' State of Origin win in Brisbane, Barnett had to be assisted from Accor Stadium on Sunday with a knee issue.
The front-rower immediately clutched at his right knee while lying on the ground in pain following an attempted tackle on Jayden Sullivan during the win over the Rabbitohs.
The club confirmed the devastating scan results on Monday.
'Worst fears of a serious knee injury have been confirmed for inspirational New Zealand Warriors co-captain Mitchell Barnett,' the club said in a statement.
'Scans today revealed he suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in his right knee in yesterday's Round 13 NRL clash against the Rabbitohs in Sydney.
'Barnett will meet specialists in the coming days to determine a timeline for surgery.'
The injury also presents NSW coach Laurie Daley with a major headache for game two.
Stefano Utoikamanu looms as the favourite for the spot, after he was part of NSW's 20-man squad for game one and placed on standby for Payne Haas.
But Keaon Koloamatangi will also likely remain an option, after being the form prop of the NRL for the past month following his move in field from the second row.
The Rabbitohs forward topped 200 metres again against the Warriors, scored a try, made eight tackle busts and played 80 minutes for the third straight game.
Koloamatangi debuted in the 2023 dead rubber, starting in the second row and tapping on a pass in the lead up to the first NSW try.
'Obviously one of my big goals is to get back there,' Koloamatangi said.
'But obviously you've got to play good at club level to be able to make the team. So I'm trying to just do that.'
Asked if he would enter the arena better prepared now with that experience under his belt, the Souths enforcer said he would.
'Especially after playing for Tonga against Australia as well,' added the 27-year-old.
'They're obviously a mixture of both New South Wales and Queensland players.
'My confidence is high at the moment. I feel like I'm playing good footy. Whatever happens, happens.'
Koloamatangi's move to the front row has made him one of several big-minute machines in the middle.
Haas has long been the benchmark for props, while Terrell May has also become an 80-minute option for Wests Tigers after his move there this year.
Koloamatagi's situation is slightly different, given he lost 10kg in the pre-season and made him the leanest he has been since he was a teenager playing centre.
'You've got to be lean and a lot fitter than back in the day. There's not many big-muscle props anymore that play,' Koloamatangi said.
'Especially with the interchanges going down to eight. The more minutes you play, the more valuable.
'No matter what position I play, I try and be the best at it.
'Obviously, the best props in the world, like Payne, they play massive minutes and do a massive amount of work. So I just try and do that for my team.'
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The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game." The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game." The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game."
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Bears' huge task revealed as coach announcement looms
Mal Meninga has a mighty task to make the Perth Bears competitive from the outset as history paints a bleak picture of the NRL's expansion teams in their early years. The NRL is poised to unveil Meninga as the Bears' head coach this week, with the rugby league legend expected to relinquish his post in charge of the Australian national team to take the helm in 2027. The nine-time State of Origin series-winning coach is understood to have beaten South Sydney great Sam Burgess and former Parramatta boss Brad Arthur to the role, his first in charge of a club since 2001. The appointment of household name Meninga is expected to help generate big interest in the AFL-mad city, which has not had a team since the Western Reds folded in 1997. But a tough task looms for Meninga amid the excitement of the Bears' return to the NRL, 25 years after their Northern Eagles merger with Manly collapsed. Some 14 expansion teams have joined the NRL and its predecessors since 1982, when the league first began to expand out of Sydney. Only two of those teams, the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, played finals in their first two seasons. Even then, the Broncos only made it to a play-off game to reach the official post-season in 1989, losing that match to Cronulla. Among the 12 remaining teams, only one - the Auckland Warriors of 1995 - had a winning record in either of their first two seasons, while three picked up the wooden spoon in the same time-frame. Only six of the 12 remaining are still in the league in their current format, the vast majority of others folding in the aftermath of the 1997 Super League War. The last Perth expansion team, the Reds, did not play finals in any of their three seasons, the best of those an 11th-placed finish in 1995 that ended with a respectable 50 per cent winning record. The statistics come after Wayne Bennett told AAP last month coaching an expansion team was one of rugby league's bigger challenges. NRL HQ considers the Dolphins expansion project a big success for its nationwide fan community and ability to challenge the Broncos for airtime in rugby league heartland Brisbane. But even then, master coach Bennett did not lead the team to finals in their first two years, and the team sits outside the top eight at the halfway mark of their third campaign. "(Coaching an expansion team) sounds like a lot of fun but it can be a journey to nowhere," South Sydney coach Bennett told AAP last month. "It's an extremely tough gig and it's not something I would recommend for anyone to take up." EXPANSION TEAMS THAT PLAYED FINALS IN THEIR FIRST TWO SEASONS:- Brisbane Broncos: 7th (1988), 6th^ (1989) Melbourne Storm: 3rd^ (1998), 3rd^ (1999) EXPANSION TEAMS THAT MISSED FINALS IN THEIR FIRST TWO SEASONS Canberra Raiders: 14th* (1982), 10th (1983) Illawarra Steelers: 13th (1982), 12th (1983) Newcastle Knights: 14th (1988), 7th (1989) Gold Coast/Tweed Heads Giants: 15th (1988), 13th (1989) South Queensland Crushers: 16th (1995), 20th* (1996) Western Reds: 11th (1995), 16th (1996) North Queensland Cowboys: 20th* (1995), 17th (1996) The Warriors: 10th (1995), 11th (1996) Adelaide Rams: 9th (1997, Super League), 17th (1998) Hunter Mariners: 6th (1997, Super League), N/A (1998) Gold Coast Titans: 12th (2007), 13th (2008) The Dolphins: 13th (2023), 10th (2024) ^denotes the team played finals *denotes the team finished last Mal Meninga has a mighty task to make the Perth Bears competitive from the outset as history paints a bleak picture of the NRL's expansion teams in their early years. The NRL is poised to unveil Meninga as the Bears' head coach this week, with the rugby league legend expected to relinquish his post in charge of the Australian national team to take the helm in 2027. The nine-time State of Origin series-winning coach is understood to have beaten South Sydney great Sam Burgess and former Parramatta boss Brad Arthur to the role, his first in charge of a club since 2001. The appointment of household name Meninga is expected to help generate big interest in the AFL-mad city, which has not had a team since the Western Reds folded in 1997. But a tough task looms for Meninga amid the excitement of the Bears' return to the NRL, 25 years after their Northern Eagles merger with Manly collapsed. Some 14 expansion teams have joined the NRL and its predecessors since 1982, when the league first began to expand out of Sydney. Only two of those teams, the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, played finals in their first two seasons. Even then, the Broncos only made it to a play-off game to reach the official post-season in 1989, losing that match to Cronulla. Among the 12 remaining teams, only one - the Auckland Warriors of 1995 - had a winning record in either of their first two seasons, while three picked up the wooden spoon in the same time-frame. Only six of the 12 remaining are still in the league in their current format, the vast majority of others folding in the aftermath of the 1997 Super League War. The last Perth expansion team, the Reds, did not play finals in any of their three seasons, the best of those an 11th-placed finish in 1995 that ended with a respectable 50 per cent winning record. The statistics come after Wayne Bennett told AAP last month coaching an expansion team was one of rugby league's bigger challenges. NRL HQ considers the Dolphins expansion project a big success for its nationwide fan community and ability to challenge the Broncos for airtime in rugby league heartland Brisbane. But even then, master coach Bennett did not lead the team to finals in their first two years, and the team sits outside the top eight at the halfway mark of their third campaign. "(Coaching an expansion team) sounds like a lot of fun but it can be a journey to nowhere," South Sydney coach Bennett told AAP last month. "It's an extremely tough gig and it's not something I would recommend for anyone to take up." EXPANSION TEAMS THAT PLAYED FINALS IN THEIR FIRST TWO SEASONS:- Brisbane Broncos: 7th (1988), 6th^ (1989) Melbourne Storm: 3rd^ (1998), 3rd^ (1999) EXPANSION TEAMS THAT MISSED FINALS IN THEIR FIRST TWO SEASONS Canberra Raiders: 14th* (1982), 10th (1983) Illawarra Steelers: 13th (1982), 12th (1983) Newcastle Knights: 14th (1988), 7th (1989) Gold Coast/Tweed Heads Giants: 15th (1988), 13th (1989) South Queensland Crushers: 16th (1995), 20th* (1996) Western Reds: 11th (1995), 16th (1996) North Queensland Cowboys: 20th* (1995), 17th (1996) The Warriors: 10th (1995), 11th (1996) Adelaide Rams: 9th (1997, Super League), 17th (1998) Hunter Mariners: 6th (1997, Super League), N/A (1998) Gold Coast Titans: 12th (2007), 13th (2008) The Dolphins: 13th (2023), 10th (2024) ^denotes the team played finals *denotes the team finished last Mal Meninga has a mighty task to make the Perth Bears competitive from the outset as history paints a bleak picture of the NRL's expansion teams in their early years. The NRL is poised to unveil Meninga as the Bears' head coach this week, with the rugby league legend expected to relinquish his post in charge of the Australian national team to take the helm in 2027. The nine-time State of Origin series-winning coach is understood to have beaten South Sydney great Sam Burgess and former Parramatta boss Brad Arthur to the role, his first in charge of a club since 2001. The appointment of household name Meninga is expected to help generate big interest in the AFL-mad city, which has not had a team since the Western Reds folded in 1997. But a tough task looms for Meninga amid the excitement of the Bears' return to the NRL, 25 years after their Northern Eagles merger with Manly collapsed. Some 14 expansion teams have joined the NRL and its predecessors since 1982, when the league first began to expand out of Sydney. Only two of those teams, the Brisbane Broncos and Melbourne Storm, played finals in their first two seasons. Even then, the Broncos only made it to a play-off game to reach the official post-season in 1989, losing that match to Cronulla. Among the 12 remaining teams, only one - the Auckland Warriors of 1995 - had a winning record in either of their first two seasons, while three picked up the wooden spoon in the same time-frame. Only six of the 12 remaining are still in the league in their current format, the vast majority of others folding in the aftermath of the 1997 Super League War. The last Perth expansion team, the Reds, did not play finals in any of their three seasons, the best of those an 11th-placed finish in 1995 that ended with a respectable 50 per cent winning record. The statistics come after Wayne Bennett told AAP last month coaching an expansion team was one of rugby league's bigger challenges. NRL HQ considers the Dolphins expansion project a big success for its nationwide fan community and ability to challenge the Broncos for airtime in rugby league heartland Brisbane. But even then, master coach Bennett did not lead the team to finals in their first two years, and the team sits outside the top eight at the halfway mark of their third campaign. "(Coaching an expansion team) sounds like a lot of fun but it can be a journey to nowhere," South Sydney coach Bennett told AAP last month. "It's an extremely tough gig and it's not something I would recommend for anyone to take up." EXPANSION TEAMS THAT PLAYED FINALS IN THEIR FIRST TWO SEASONS:- Brisbane Broncos: 7th (1988), 6th^ (1989) Melbourne Storm: 3rd^ (1998), 3rd^ (1999) EXPANSION TEAMS THAT MISSED FINALS IN THEIR FIRST TWO SEASONS Canberra Raiders: 14th* (1982), 10th (1983) Illawarra Steelers: 13th (1982), 12th (1983) Newcastle Knights: 14th (1988), 7th (1989) Gold Coast/Tweed Heads Giants: 15th (1988), 13th (1989) South Queensland Crushers: 16th (1995), 20th* (1996) Western Reds: 11th (1995), 16th (1996) North Queensland Cowboys: 20th* (1995), 17th (1996) The Warriors: 10th (1995), 11th (1996) Adelaide Rams: 9th (1997, Super League), 17th (1998) Hunter Mariners: 6th (1997, Super League), N/A (1998) Gold Coast Titans: 12th (2007), 13th (2008) The Dolphins: 13th (2023), 10th (2024) ^denotes the team played finals *denotes the team finished last
News.com.au
9 hours ago
- News.com.au
Dubbo previews: Trainer Clint Lundholm aims for fourth Silver Goblet success with promising colt Blue De Beers
Trainer Clint Lundholm is chasing his fourth Silver Goblet with a two-year-old that boasts Golden Slipper winner Pierro as a close family member. Lundholm 's colt, Blue De Beers, is out of a mare named Arabian Diamond. A Lonhro herself like Pierro, both Arabian Diamond and the 2012 Two-Year-Old Triple Crown winner share the English stakes-winner Criquette as their second and third dam respectively. Pierro famously won the Breeders' Plate on debut, now it's up to Blue De Beers to show what he's got when he makes his own debut in one of the Central West's most coveted juvenile features, the Kings Hall Jewellers Showcase Silver Goblet 2YO Handicap (1100m). 'He's a very nice horse,' Lundholm said. It's Tavanasia up along the inside to win the 6th at Wellington! ðŸ'¥ â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 13, 2025 The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here! 'He's been set for this race a good while ago. He didn't qualify for the Inglis race at Scone so we ear-tagged this race to target with him. 'He has trialled very well and had another unofficial jumpout after his second trial just to keep him up to the mark and we are really happy with him going to the races. 'I am not too worried about the (outside) draw. 'Over 1100m here at Dubbo, you come around one corner for home anyway so it doesn't concern me too much. 'I don't think it is against him anyway.' Lundholm is represented by five horses across four races and while not enough to reach a certain milestone, a big day could edge him closer. The record shows that Lundholm's present tally of winners at his home circuit is 194. One of the trainer's string looking for their first Dubbo win is Willinga Karisma who aims to snap a sequence of two consecutive seconds when she tackles the Winter Country Classic Qualifier (1300m). 'She had a very tough run last start,' Lundholm explained. 'She got caught wide but was game and stuck on quite well. We've taken the claim this time around, she's got as soft draw, so she does look well-placed.' 🛰ï¸� Starlink speeds away to win in a bit of an upset at @MudgeeRaceClub for @ClintLundholm with @HeavelonVan in the saddle! â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 8, 2024 Willinga Karisma will be joined in her quest in this week's qualifier by the sturdy Stratum Star mare, Avalicous. 'At 1300m first-up, she is probably wanting the run but she has got a soft draw and she makes her own luck,' her trainer said. 'She'll run well but I think she will improve from the run.' Lundholm, meanwhile, aims to play a role in the hotly contested Showcase Benchmark 82 Handicap via the Widden Stud/Peter Frampton-owned and bred Starlink who resumes in the 1000m sprint. 'She was a little bit disappointing early in her preparation last time around and then she came out and pulled off a really impressive win at her last start,' Lundholm said. 'Then she had a little bit of an injury and went to the paddock. 'She's returned in great shape. She seems to be nice and sound.' Lundholm and Kody Nestor combine twice starting with Blue De Beers in the Silver Goblet, followed by Macchina Volante in the Benchmark 82 Handicap (1400m). This will be Nestor's first ride on the horse whose name translates into 'flying machine'. 'He finds conditions to suit,' said Lundholm. 'He will run a good race, he'll be honest. 'We're setting him for some for the county west cups coming over the winter.' â– â– â– â– â– Local gelding Cumnock's days as a Highway participant will come to an end if he can topple his rivals, all of them with significantly higher benchmark ratings, in the hotly contested sprint. The Brett Thompson -trained, Bob Slack-Smith-bred five-year-old was saved a near 800km round trip this weekend when dealt with the almost impossible predicament of fifth emergency (and barrier 21) for Saturday's Highway at Randwick. Instead, Cumnock, the horse with a thoroughly misleading Benchmark Rating of 60, takes on a couple of 77 raters in the Fardells Showcase Benchmark 82 Handicap (1000m) at his home ground. 'I don't know why he is so low in the benchmarks because it's not like he has been an inconsistent horse,' Thompson said. WOW! 🤯 How did Clear Thinking get there? @zaclloydx looked to be in a world of trouble on the short-priced favourite, but once clear she attacked the line to take the @tabcomau Highway! @PaulMessara @ArrowfieldStud â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 6, 2024 'Anyway, I'm not whinging. There's times when you want to be low in the benchmarks and times when you want to be higher.' Cumnock was successful in gaining a start in consecutive Highways in July last year, finishing fourth to Clear Thinking and Tanglewood in one and a fifth to Lonhro's Queen in the other. Cumnock will be ridden by champion country jockey Mathew Cahill who is also tasked with the quest of helping the tough and reliable filly Sorrento Palace snap a sequence of three straight second placings. 'She is going super,' Thompson reported. 'She's just been drawing terrible gates so we've been scratching, scratching, scratching trying to wait until she draws a gate and she's drawn a gate now so we've just to hope she can do the job for us which I think she can.' Thompson combines with inaugural Country Championships Final winning jockey Mitchell Bell in the Country Classic Qualifier for the boys where Hammering Away seeks to nail his third career win. The well-bred chestnut boasts some deep form having mixed and matched with some above-average types on the way through including Rothgate whom he stretched to a neck last spring. 'He is a horse that always tries,' Thompson said. 'I thought it was a pretty good to run there first-up at Parkes the other day. 'I think the extra ground will help him, we have got a good jockey on, he's a good each-way bet.'
