While new signing Gerard Beale faces a delayed start to his first season with the Vodafone Warriors, Solomone Kata is expected to start his preseason training programme as scheduled early in the New Year.
Beale (27), who has joined the Vodafone Warriors from Cronulla, had surgery after breaking the tibia and fibula in his left leg in the Kiwis’ opening Rugby League World Cup match against Toa Samoa on October 28.
While Kata (22) managed to finish Mate Ma’a Tonga’s 32-18 win over Samoa in Hamilton last Saturday night, he has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken right foot.
Beale could be sidelined for up to six months which would delay his Vodafone Warriors debut until the start of May.
Kata is having surgery on his foot but Vodafone Warriors head of performance Alex Corvo said the centre would be ready to train in the New Year as expected.
Corvo added utility Nathaniel Roache was on target to be ready for the start of the 2018 season after a ruptured Achilles in a training session ended his 2017 campaign in late August.
Centre Junior Pauga is in line to make his return in the early rounds next season. He’s in rehab following anterior cruciate ligament surgery after injuring his left knee in the Vodafone Warriors’ Intrust Super Premiership preliminary final against the Wyong Roos in September.
