Raiders lose star winger for up to three months

Canberra have suffered a mega blow with winger Savelio Tamale in a race to play again before finals after dislocating his kneecap.
Tamale failed to finish the Raiders' win over South Sydney on Sunday, before scans confirmed he would miss a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks with the injury.
The Raiders flyer is scheduled to see a specialist who will determine an exact return path, but either way it looms as a devastating blow to both Tamale and club.
Tamale's power and strike on the left wing has played a part in Canberra's rise to second on the ladder, with three byes still to come before the end of the season.
The 20-year-old was a serious contender for rookie of the year, providing great yardage and busting tackles at will in 2025.
After playing one game for St George Illawarra at the end of last season, the former rugby union talent had also been close to the buy of the year across the NRL.
Even a best-case 10-week return for Tamale would have him back on the field just a few rounds out from the finals, while any longer could leave his season in doubt.
Fellow winger Albert Hopoate was also ruled out for the year in March with a ruptured ACL.
Coach Ricky Stuart's son Jed is every chance to debut in place of Tamale, having loomed as the next option in Canberra's extended squads this year.
Michael Asomua is the other uncapped option in reserve grade, unless the Raiders opt for an entire backline reshuffle with Tamale out.
Canberra have their first bye this week before taking on Wests Tigers next Friday night at Campbelltown.
Canberra have suffered a mega blow with winger Savelio Tamale in a race to play again before finals after dislocating his kneecap.
Tamale failed to finish the Raiders' win over South Sydney on Sunday, before scans confirmed he would miss a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks with the injury.
The Raiders flyer is scheduled to see a specialist who will determine an exact return path, but either way it looms as a devastating blow to both Tamale and club.
Tamale's power and strike on the left wing has played a part in Canberra's rise to second on the ladder, with three byes still to come before the end of the season.
The 20-year-old was a serious contender for rookie of the year, providing great yardage and busting tackles at will in 2025.
After playing one game for St George Illawarra at the end of last season, the former rugby union talent had also been close to the buy of the year across the NRL.
Even a best-case 10-week return for Tamale would have him back on the field just a few rounds out from the finals, while any longer could leave his season in doubt.
Fellow winger Albert Hopoate was also ruled out for the year in March with a ruptured ACL.
Coach Ricky Stuart's son Jed is every chance to debut in place of Tamale, having loomed as the next option in Canberra's extended squads this year.
Michael Asomua is the other uncapped option in reserve grade, unless the Raiders opt for an entire backline reshuffle with Tamale out.
Canberra have their first bye this week before taking on Wests Tigers next Friday night at Campbelltown.
Canberra have suffered a mega blow with winger Savelio Tamale in a race to play again before finals after dislocating his kneecap.
Tamale failed to finish the Raiders' win over South Sydney on Sunday, before scans confirmed he would miss a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks with the injury.
The Raiders flyer is scheduled to see a specialist who will determine an exact return path, but either way it looms as a devastating blow to both Tamale and club.
Tamale's power and strike on the left wing has played a part in Canberra's rise to second on the ladder, with three byes still to come before the end of the season.
The 20-year-old was a serious contender for rookie of the year, providing great yardage and busting tackles at will in 2025.
After playing one game for St George Illawarra at the end of last season, the former rugby union talent had also been close to the buy of the year across the NRL.
Even a best-case 10-week return for Tamale would have him back on the field just a few rounds out from the finals, while any longer could leave his season in doubt.
Fellow winger Albert Hopoate was also ruled out for the year in March with a ruptured ACL.
Coach Ricky Stuart's son Jed is every chance to debut in place of Tamale, having loomed as the next option in Canberra's extended squads this year.
Michael Asomua is the other uncapped option in reserve grade, unless the Raiders opt for an entire backline reshuffle with Tamale out.
Canberra have their first bye this week before taking on Wests Tigers next Friday night at Campbelltown.

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'A great fit' - Aussie weapon hailed by the Lions

The Advertiser

5 hours ago

The Advertiser

'A great fit' - Aussie weapon hailed by the Lions

British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell believes his Australian replacement call-up Finlay Bealham will prove a "great fit" for the squad following the "heartbreaking" withdrawal of injured Scotland prop Zander Fagerson. Glasgow Warriors tighthead Fagerson has been ruled out of the summer tour to Australia with a calf problem, prompting Farrell to bring in the Canberra-born Bealham, who he's coached when in charge of Ireland. The news of Fagerson's withdrawal came a day before the squad - minus those involved in Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals - headed out to Portugal for a training camp. Farrell, though, accepts such situations are part of the game, with the group now looking to sharpen focus towards a warm-up fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. "It is heartbreaking, but at the same time, he (Fagerson) is a realist. All rugby players know that's the game," Farrell said. "He will work unbelievably hard to get himself fit and who knows what's going to happen down the track." On Ireland's Bealham being added to the squad, Farrell said: "Finlay has been called up in his place and he is in good form. He is very good at what he does. "He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group. "So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. "By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. "The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that." With 15 of the selected players still on club duty - including 12 from Leinster - England duo Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have also joined the five-day training camp at Quinta do Lago to provide some front-row cover. The fixture against Argentina is set to be a first Lions game played in Ireland. The tour of Australia schedule - which features three Tests against the Wallabies - begins against Western Force in Perth on June 28. British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell believes his Australian replacement call-up Finlay Bealham will prove a "great fit" for the squad following the "heartbreaking" withdrawal of injured Scotland prop Zander Fagerson. Glasgow Warriors tighthead Fagerson has been ruled out of the summer tour to Australia with a calf problem, prompting Farrell to bring in the Canberra-born Bealham, who he's coached when in charge of Ireland. The news of Fagerson's withdrawal came a day before the squad - minus those involved in Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals - headed out to Portugal for a training camp. Farrell, though, accepts such situations are part of the game, with the group now looking to sharpen focus towards a warm-up fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. "It is heartbreaking, but at the same time, he (Fagerson) is a realist. All rugby players know that's the game," Farrell said. "He will work unbelievably hard to get himself fit and who knows what's going to happen down the track." On Ireland's Bealham being added to the squad, Farrell said: "Finlay has been called up in his place and he is in good form. He is very good at what he does. "He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group. "So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. "By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. "The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that." With 15 of the selected players still on club duty - including 12 from Leinster - England duo Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have also joined the five-day training camp at Quinta do Lago to provide some front-row cover. The fixture against Argentina is set to be a first Lions game played in Ireland. The tour of Australia schedule - which features three Tests against the Wallabies - begins against Western Force in Perth on June 28. British & Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell believes his Australian replacement call-up Finlay Bealham will prove a "great fit" for the squad following the "heartbreaking" withdrawal of injured Scotland prop Zander Fagerson. Glasgow Warriors tighthead Fagerson has been ruled out of the summer tour to Australia with a calf problem, prompting Farrell to bring in the Canberra-born Bealham, who he's coached when in charge of Ireland. The news of Fagerson's withdrawal came a day before the squad - minus those involved in Premiership and United Rugby Championship finals - headed out to Portugal for a training camp. Farrell, though, accepts such situations are part of the game, with the group now looking to sharpen focus towards a warm-up fixture against Argentina in Dublin on June 20. "It is heartbreaking, but at the same time, he (Fagerson) is a realist. All rugby players know that's the game," Farrell said. "He will work unbelievably hard to get himself fit and who knows what's going to happen down the track." On Ireland's Bealham being added to the squad, Farrell said: "Finlay has been called up in his place and he is in good form. He is very good at what he does. "He was certainly right up there in the conversation from the very start as well, and he would have been disappointed not to make the group. "So we just know he will be a great fit for the group going forward. He is the only conversation that I was able to have because of the way we did the squad announcement. "By giving him a phone call and telling him he was selected within the squad, unfortunately for Zander, but it was one of the best phone conversations I have ever had. "The emotion that went through the phone actually welled me up. It was great to be able to do that." With 15 of the selected players still on club duty - including 12 from Leinster - England duo Jamie George and Asher Opoku-Fordjour have also joined the five-day training camp at Quinta do Lago to provide some front-row cover. The fixture against Argentina is set to be a first Lions game played in Ireland. The tour of Australia schedule - which features three Tests against the Wallabies - begins against Western Force in Perth on June 28.