One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster expects Jazz Tevaga to be ready to make his return from a long injury lay-off after this week’s third bye.
The 27-year-old livewire middle forward hasn’t played since suffering a calf injury after just 22 minutes on the field in the club’s eighth-round clash against Melbourne on Anzac Day.
One New Zealand Warriors head of performance Balin Cupples said Tevaga continued to make progress with his involvement in team-based training leading into last week’s 21st round clash against Canberra at Go Media Stadium.
Webster expects Tevaga to be available to play following this week’s bye round putting him in contention to be named for the round 23 match against the Gold Coast Titans.
Standoff Te Maire Martin’s return date hasn’t been set as he continues his recovery from the broken fibula he suffered against Newcastle in round six on April 9.
Cupples said winger Edward Kosi (knee) has “built into field-based running progressions and is gradually building change of direction and increasing his intensity on the field.”
Centre Ali Leiataua has continued his return to grass running and is “going strongly with strength markers.”
Second rower Marata Niukore suffered a head knock after just 20 minutes of last Friday night’s match against the Raiders. He is following NRL concussion protocols this week in the expectation he will be clear to play against the Titans on August 4.
On the positive side, prop Bunty Afoa (concussion) and back rower Demitric Sifakula came off the injury list last week.
INJURY LIST |
||
|---|---|---|
| Edward Kosi | Knee | Final rounds |
| Ali Leiataua | Hamstring | TBC |
| Te Maire Martin | Fibula | TBC |
| Marata Niukore | Concussion | Round 23 |
| Jazz Tevaga | Calf | Round 23 |
| Brayden Wiliame | Leg | TBC |
