Maxigesic Recovery Report: Niukore out with foot injury

Experienced forward Marata Niukore has been sidelined with a minor foot fracture ruling him out of the One New Zealand Warriors’ NRL season opener against Cronulla Sutherland at Go Media Stadium on Friday night.

Niukore picked up the injury in the club’s second Preseason Challenge match against the Dolphins on February 24.

One New Zealand Warriors head of performance Balin Cupples said the timeline on a return is indefinite at this stage. Niukore is “expected to come out of his protective boot and modified weight bearing acute phase later this week."

Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad “continues his reactive running progressions” in his recovery from his hamstring strain. Cupples said he has started his integration into team warm-ups and will progress to team involvement and game specific running capacity in coming weeks.

Back rower Leka Halasima suffered a moderate ankle sprain in the trial against the Dolphins. He will begin return to run preparation next week.

Demitric Sifakula continues strength and running progressions in his return from ACL surgery.

Winger Ed Kosi has recovered from his hand injury and is named to play in the New South Wales Cup this week.