Newcastle Knights forward Robbie Rochow has suffered an injury in the lead up to Sunday's Round 6 clash against Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium.
Rochow, who leads all Knights forwards in tackles (186) and runs (59), suffered a fractured arm during a training session this week. Knights officials confirmed that the forward would see a specialist on Thursday, with results confirming the forward would miss eight to ten weeks.
Knights officials also confirmed that representative centre Sione Mata'utia would be unavailable for the match, sitting out the match after suffering a concussion against the Storm.
Jaleen Feeney (who had been named at fullback in the Knights Intrust Super Premiership team) could come into the side as his replacement, with the final lineup to be confirmed at 3:00pm Sunday, one hour before kickoff.
Newcastle had been boosted heading into the match with the return of co-captain Tariq Sims, who will play his first match of the year after serving a five-game suspension.
Coach Nathan Brown had named youngster Daniel Saifiti (18) and veteran Mickey Paea (19) on an extended interchange bench for Sunday's game, with both players possibly coming into contention for the side now given the injuries suffered to Rochow and Mata'utia.
For Wests Tigers, Jason Taylor's side will welcome back the return of Curtis Sironen from injury, with the representative forward named to take his place on the interchange bench.
Taylor is yet to name a replacement for Tim Simona, who, after originally being named in the centres, will miss Sunday's match with a three-match suspension from the Judiciary.
Kickoff for Sunday's game is at 4:00pm AEDT from Hunter Stadium, Newcastle.
Be there for Sunday afternoon footy at Leichhardt Oval when we take on the Storm!
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Dane Gagai
2. Nathan Ross
3. Sione Mata'utia*
4. Pat Mata'utia
5. Akuila Uate
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Trent Hodkinson (capt.)
8. Sam Mataora
9. Danny Levi
10. Korbin Sims
11. Tariq Sims (capt.)
12. Robbie Rochow*
13. Jeremy Smith (capt.)
Interchange:
14. Tyler Randell
15. Jack Stockwell
16. Jacob Saifiti
17. Pauli Pauli
18. Daniel Saifiti
19. Mickey Paea
Coach: Nathan Brown
* will miss Sunday's game due to injury.
WESTS TIGERS
1. James Tedesco
2. David Nofoaluama
3. Tim Simona*
4. Kevin Naiqama
5. Jordan Rankin
6. Mitchell Moses
7. Luke Brooks
8. Aaron Woods (capt.)
9. Robbie Farah
10. Tim Grant
11. Dene Halatau
12. Chris Lawrence
13. Sauaso Sue
Interchange:
14. Curtis Sironen
15. Ava Seumanufagai
16. Josh Aloiai
17. Kyle Lovett
Coach: Jason Taylor
* will miss Sunday's game with suspension.
