Latest news with #NewZealandWarriors

Scans confirm devastating ACL blow to Warriors and NSW Blues prop Mitchell barnett

7NEWS

a day ago

Sport
7NEWS

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.'