NRL 2026, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership season

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 15 Nov 2026, 09:07 PM

Kiwis centre Casey McLean failed a HIA during the half-time break in the World Cup Final and was ruled out of the rest of the match.

McLean scored the Kiwis' first try in the 12th minute to take his career tally to 17 tries in nine Tests but he started to show concussion symptoms during the half-time break and was unable to play any further part in the decider.

Fellow Kiwi Naufahu Whyte overcame an ankle injury to take his place in the Final.

The premiership-winning Roosters big man left the field in the 48th minute of the semi-final against Tonga and did not return but after a light week on the track he was good to go in the Final.

Gun fullback Kalyn Ponga turned in an outstanding display against Tonga his comeback from a broken arm suffered in the opening game of the tournament against Australia.

Jones paid tribute to Ponga's mental toughness in getting back on the field just 23 days after suffering the injury and sporting a large plate in his arm.

Tonga went into the semi-final without Rob Toia, who was ruled out on Friday due to a leg injury and was replaced by Paul Alamoti.

Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland joined the Kiwis squad this week as a replacement for second-rower Jacob Laban, who was been forced out with a leg injury.

Laban, 22, missed training last week and scans confirmed a lower leg injury which has ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.

Crossland has served his four-game suspension for a hip drop tackle on Nathan Cleary in the NRL preliminary final.

The versatile Crossland can also cover the halves and lock and has played six times for the Kiwis since 2024, his last Test coming in the 36-14 win over Toa Samoa in the Pacific Championships final in Sydney last year.

Meanwhile, Samoa playmaker Chanel Harris-Tavita will miss the World Cup semi-final against Australia after injuring his hamstring in the loss to Tonga.

Harris-Tavita was attempting a shot at goal in the 52nd minute at CommBank Stadium and immediately felt for his hamstring after taking the kick.

Wests Tigers skipper Api Koroisau suffered a facial fracture in Fiji's World Cup clash against New Zealand.

Koroisau left the field in the eighth minute for a HIA after an accidental head clash with Joseph Tapine and was taken to hospital for X-rays.

Panther Blaize Talagi is facing six months of rehab after suffering a torn Achilles in the preliminary final while fullback Dylan Edwards injured his knee in the loss to the Knights.

Co-captain Isaah Yeo has delayed surgery on his pectoral muscle so he can lead the Kangaroos in the World Cup.

"The injury is feeling good and I feel like I can perform at a level that the country needs," Yeo said at the announcement of the Kangaroos' World Cup squad.

"I wouldn't have put my hand up if I didn't think I could deliver."

Yeo confirmed he will have surgery on his pectoral muscle at the conclusion of the World Cup and aim to be back on the field in the early rounds of 2027.

Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall is facing a 4-5 month recovery period after having surgery on his shoulder.

Trindall dislocated his shoulder while scoring a try in Round 24 against the Raiders but initially put off surgery so he could return to play four weeks later, battling through two finals fixtures.

Trindall's teammate Toby Rudolf has undergone knee surgery and is facing 3-4 months on the sideline after having an MCL reconstruction.

To view the complete NRL Casualty Ward, please visit the hub page.