Updated Pilot Medical Update: Round 17

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Mon 26 Jun 2023, 05:27 PM

Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Billy Smith have both sustained concussions following a collision at training during the week. Club medical staff have taken a conservative approach, ruling the pair out of Sunday’s Round 18 clash.

Suaalii and Smith will now commence the 11-day return to play protocol.

Sitili Tupouniua will undergo another week of review from the specialist after his initial consultation on Tuesday.

Originally published Monday June 26

The Sydney Roosters squad has been assessed by Club medical staff following their Round 17 clash with the Canberra Raiders at Allianz Stadium.

Scans have confirmed Angus Crichton sustained a moderate grade medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury during Sunday’s match. He will be looking to commence rehabilitation in the coming days.

Egan Butcher was taken from the field in the second half of the match for a head injury assessment (HIA) and was unable to return.

The backrower had a meeting with the Club’s Chief Medical Officer today where he was diagnosed with mild concussion symptoms. He will now undergo the NRL’s mandatory 11-day stand-down period, making him unavailable for Round 18.

Jake Turpin was also unable to complete Sunday’s match with concerns about an acute rib injury. Scans have since cleared the 26-year-old of serious injury.

There were no injury concerns for the remainder of players that featured in the match.

Scans have confirmed Sitili Tupouniua sustained an acute disc injury to his neck after complaints of nerve pain on Saturday evening. The backrower will meet with a spinal injury consultant for further review tomorrow.

Nat Butcher was ruled out of Sunday’s match with an ankle impingement injury sustained at training last week. The 25-year-old will work closely with Club medical and rehabilitation staff in the lead up to Round 18.

Brandon Smith had a positive review with the surgeon last week and will continue to work with Club rehabilitation staff, aiming to return in Round 20 to face the Melbourne Storm.

Sam Walker has resumed full team training following the successful rehabilitation of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprain.

Paul Momirovski (shoulder), Connor Watson (knee) and Tyler Moriarty (back) are continuing with their respective rehabilitations, working closely with Club staff.