Bulldogs rocked by brutal Viliame Kikau news as push for NRL top-eight spot dealt blow
Kikau is set to miss a month of NRL with a finger injury.
The Bulldogs have been dealt a cruel blow in their bid for finals footy in 2024, with powerhouse back-rower Viliame Kikau set for a month on the sidelines with a finger injury. Kikau is due to undergo surgery on Monday on a compound fracture of his ring finger and is expected to miss between four and six weeks of NRL action.
The injury will rule Kikau out of key matches against Newcastle, Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters, while he is also in doubt for the clashes with Cronulla and the Warriors. Kikau has been among the Bulldogs' best in 2024 and is a devastating running threat on the left edge.
He is currently sitting sixth in the NRL's Dally M race and his injury setback is a tough pill to swallow for Bulldogs fans. Canterbury are currently two points out of the top eight and will face Newcastle on Friday night.
@NRL_Bulldogs Viliame Kikau will undergo surgery today, to repair a nasty compound fracture of his ring finger, sustained during last week’s game ... Recovery time is expected to be from 4-6 weeks depending on the surgery today ... pic.twitter.com/LVXO3Ebn5T
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) May 27, 2024
Bulldogs suffer cruel Matt Burton blow
The Bulldogs will also be without Matt Burton on Thursday night after he was selected as the 18th man for the Blues by Michael Maguire. Despite the fact he may not actually get onto the field, the 18th man is not released for club duties.
His absence will likely see Drew Hutchinson get a reprieve in the halves alongside Toby Sexton. But it isn't just the Bulldogs who will go into Thursday's encounter down troops.
Former Blues centre Bradman Best has also been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury he picked up in the Knights' 28-24 win over the Titans in round 11. It is expected that in his absence Enari Tuala will be shifted to centre with Tom Jenkins to come onto the wing. While in some good news for Newcastle, Daniel Saifiti will return from suspension in the front row.
Matt Burton puts hand up to play anywhere for Blues
Ahead of the Blues team being named, Burton said he is willing to play anywhere in Maguire's team. Burton starred on Thursday night in the perfect Origin audition, scoring two tries in Canterbury's 44-12 rout of St George Illawarra.
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The Bulldogs No.6 was seen as a solid choice for the Blues at either centre or five-eighth, however, missed out on a starting role, named as 18th man. But there is a chance Michael Maguire may make a late switch with no utility currently named on the bench.
And after putting together another stellar performance last week, where both his kicking and ball-playing game stood out, Burton says he is ready to play wherever Maguire needs him. "I've just been focussing on playing hard here and playing hard for the boys. But if (Origin) happens, I'll be stoked," Burton said.
"I've had a lot of experience (at centre) in the previous years. It's sort of second nature to me. I'm happy to play anywhere, really," he said. "Obviously that versatility helps. I'm hoping I can get that call. We'll see what happens."
The 24-year-old says he feels more ready for Origin than in the past and believes he can make a difference if he is selected. "Obviously having that experience in the past helps and I feel like I'm more mature now. I feel like I'm definitely ready," he said. "Just my effort areas around the ball, my supports and little things like that (are what have improved this year)."
