The St George Illawarra Dragons are set to be without winger Mikaele Ravalawa for a number of weeks after the Fijian international went down without contact in the 57th minute of the Red Vโs 32-18 loss to the Brisbane Broncos on Sunday.
In just his third game back from a previous hamstring injury, Ravalawa collapsed while pursuing Ezra Mam to the line for Brisbaneโs fifth try.
Dragons coach Anthony Griffin admitted in the post-match press conference that it was a hamstring tear but couldnโt advise how severe it was.
โThe way it looked, it wasnโt too good,โ the coach said.
On Twitter, NRL Physio echoed Griffinโs sentiments, claiming the โshot by a sniperโ non-contact nature of the injury was likely to lead to a multi-week absence.
Classic hamstring strain for Mikaele Ravalawa, non-contact sprinting mechanism (โshot by a sniperโ). Didnโt look good, had dealt with a hamstring issue earlier this season too. Multi-week absence likely upcoming for him pic.twitter.com/ngUb1efht7
โ NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 10, 2022
After three seasons of strong performances, 2022 has been tough for Ravalawa. Despite the double-digit try tallies in his previous campaigns, in 2022 heโs scored just five tries in 14 appearances.
Further, those five tries have come in just two games โ a Round 1 hat-trick against the New Zealand Warriors and a double in his Round 15 return from injury against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Dragons fans can at least take comfort in the fact the team has a wealth of replacements at their disposal for next weekโs pivotal clash against the Sydney Roosters.
NRL journeyman Tautau Moga filled in admirably during Ravalawaโs most recent absence. The Red V also have 29-year-old rookie Jonathon Reuben, as well as Max Feagai โ twin brother of fellow Dragon Mat โ ready for his first taste of NRL in 2022.
Ravalawaโs injury comes at a bad time for the Dragons, who are struggling for consistency as they try to hang on to a finals place. The Round 17 loss has bumped them out of the Top 8 for the first time this season.