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

NRLW Casualty Ward: Kernick to miss All Stars

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 15 Jan 2026, 02:03 PM

Roosters star Olivia Kernick will miss the upcoming All Stars campaign after underdoing a procedure on her shoulder.

The Jillaroos second rower is eligible for both the Indigenous Women's All Stars and the Māori Women's All Stars teams and has previously represented both sides of her heritage.

Māori Women's All Stars coach John Strange said he enquired about having the 2024 Dally M winner return to represent her Māori culture in the upcoming fixture at Hamilton, having last played for the side in 2022 and 2023.

“There are a few players who are unavailable through injury like Olivia Kernick, who was going to play for us but she has had a bit of a tidy up for a shoulder,” Strange said.

“That’s a bit of a shame for us but it will still be a pretty good squad and I am happy with the players we have got."

A number of players who were struck with injury during the Pacific Championships are on track to be fit and firing for when the NRLW season launches on July 2 when the Sharks host the Knights.

Jillaroos and Roosters hooker Keeley Davis injured her shoulder in Australia's match against the Kiwi Ferns at Eden Park, forcing her to miss the Pacific Championships final.

Second-rower Kezie Apps left the field late in the final with a lower back problem, while Kiwi Ferns and Cronulla Sharks back-rower Annessa Biddle suffered a head knock.

Gold Coast star Sienna Lofipo was also ruled out of Samoa's game against the Jillaroos in the second week of the tournament with concussion but also suffered a leg injury. Having achieved plenty in 2025 with her international and Queensland Origin call-ups, Titans coach Karyn Murphy will be hoping the versatile forward won't miss the start of the season.

A number of players who have switched clubs over the off-season are also working towards being good to go for their new clubs, including Raiders signing Bobbi Law and Tegan Dymock, who is returning to the Sharks.