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Sea Eagles and Panthers suffer horror pre-season injury blows

Tom Trbojevic and Viliame Kiaku have limped off the field in disastrous trial match outings on Saturday.

Kikau went down just five minutes into the first trial match of the day and had to be helped from the field.

The Panthers big man was twisted horribly in a tackle against South Sydney on Saturday at Redfern Oval.

Viliame Kikau goes off injured. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
Viliame Kikau goes off injured. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Kikau limped from the field under the assistance of trainers and looked to be in a world of hurt.

He was later spotted wearing a brace on his right knee as he watched on from the sidelines.

Panthers boss Phil Gould tweeted that Kikau had suffered a grade 1-2 medial ligament injury.

But Ivan Cleary was upbeat and said he didn’t expect to lose Kikau for an extended period of time.

“He looks like he’s damaged his medial but I don’t think it’s too bad,” Cleary said.

“We’ll just have to wait and see.

“He’s had a great a pre-season. It’s not going to be too bad. Unfortunately we often get someone injured in these games.”

Tom Trbojevic facing a month out

Manly coach Des Hasler says he expects to be without Tom Trbojevic for at least a month after the Kangaroos fullback sustained a hamstring injury in the 28-22 pre-season trial loss against Cronulla.

The 22-year-old was returning a kick in the 35th minute when he pulled up, signalled to be substituted and made his way to the sideline at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Trbojevic’s setback was compounded by knocks to front-rowers Kelepi Tanginoa and Tanieli Paseka, with the Sea Eagles’ season opener against the West Tigers just three weeks away.

“Kelepi and Tanieli have got knee injures. We’ll get them scanned but that’s at least a month on the sideline,” Hasler said.

Tom Trbojevic leaves the field. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Tom Trbojevic leaves the field. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

“Tom Trbojevic looks like being a month.

“That’s just footy and it’s not the best of starts to lose two front-rowers and a fullback, but I’m sure guys will step up and take their place.”

In positive news for Hasler, Curtis Sironen’s return from a long-term knee injury when smoothly and try-scoring Kiwis forward Martin Tapau was imposing.

However, Hasler might not be as pleased with Trent Hodkinson, who had a mixed outing as he battles with Kane Elgey to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves.

Dragons and Knights debut new halves combos

Kalyn Ponga displayed flashes of brilliance at five-eighth in Newcastle’s 18-10 loss to St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium.

With both teams fielding close to their full-strength squads for Saturday afternoon’s first half, the Knights went to the break leading 10-6 before both sides took off most their first-grade players and the Dragons claimed the lead.

Ponga was involved in both of the Knights’ first-half tries, with plenty of touches in his first hit-out at No.6 for Newcastle since making the switch from fullback in the off-season.

His first assist showed a continuing strong combination with Lachlan Fitzgibbon from last season, as he put the second-rower through a hole from 30m out on the left edge to score.

Kalyn Ponga in action. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Kalyn Ponga in action. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

He and halfback Mitchell Pearce often played the same side of the field, with the pair and Fitzgibbon combining not long before the break to send Edric Lee over for the 10-6 lead.

The Dragons’ front-line attack also looked slick in the first half, with Corey Norman and Ben Hunt in the halves and Gareth Widdop at fullback.

Wighton stars at five-eighth for Raiders

Jack Wighton set up two tries in his five-eighth audition for Canberra, with the Raiders coming from behind to beat Canterbury 28-22 in Bega on the NSW south coast.

In what would be his only game in the No.6 jersey before the start of the season, Wighton made his move from the fullback spot on Saturday evening in triumphant style in what also doubled as his return from a 10-week ban at the end of last season.

After the Raiders trailed by 22-6 at halftime, Wighton put on a long cut-out ball for Nick Cotric to score in the left-hand corner for Canberra’s first try of the second half.

He repeated the dose after he stepped past two defenders moments later to put Cotric in again, before Bailey Simonsson and Tony Satini crossed late to seal the win.

Canterbury’s attack also showed signs of firing in their last trial before their season opener against the Warriors.

Kieran Foran had plenty of good involvement and took the line on in his first game since last May, while Will Hopoate had a hand in in two of their four first-half tries, spending time in the centres and at fullback.

Jack Bird returns, but Staggs seizes chance

Brisbane’s search for a centre has taken a twist, with Kotoni Staggs outshining returning big gun Jack Bird in the Broncos’ match against Wynnum Manly.

The Broncos took their time on Saturday night to subdue the Queensland Cup outfit in a 26-12 win at Kougari Oval on Brisbane’s bayside.

There were mixed performances from a number of young Broncos aiming for a place in Brisbane’s 17 for their March 14 season opener against Melbourne.

But there was no doubt over the quality of Staggs who scored a try and was the Broncos’ most-dangerous player at right centre.

The 20-year-old’s goalkicking might also tempt coach Anthony Seibold to find room for him in the team to face the Storm.

with AAP