Vodafone Warriors second rower Isaiah Papali’i is poised to return to action this weekend after missing just three rounds of football.
The 19-year-old started the season impressively, transferring his preseason training and trials form into an eye-catching performance in the club’s first-round 32-20 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Perth.
However, he was forced off the field after just seven minutes of the second-round home clash against the Gold Coast Titans.
Papali’i had time for only two tackles and one run before being taken off the field with a medial cruciate ligament strain.
He was expected to miss four to six games but has been named to come back this week, named to start in the second row for the Vodafone Warriors’ Intrust Super Premiership side against the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at Mount Smart Stadium on Saturday (2.45pm kick-off). He has also been named on the extended squad for the NRL team’s match against Brisbane.
INJURY LIST
Blake Ayshford | Back | TBC
Gerard Beale | Leg | Round 9
James Gavet | Hamstring | Round 8
Junior Pauga | Knee | Mid-season
Nathaniel Roache | Back | Season
