NRLW 2024, Injuries, suspension, return dates, casualty ward and key information for the 2024 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership season

NRLW Casualty Ward: Hale undergoes surgery for neck injury

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 14 Nov 2024, 05:46 PM

Kiwi Ferns captain Georgia Hale has undergone surgery on her neck just days after leading New Zealand in the Pacific Cup final against Australia.

Hale has been playing through the pain of a bulging disk sustained in Round 2 of the NRLW season, not wanting to let down her Gold Coast teammates nor her country.

The Titans star was again the NRLW's top defender across the regular season, averaging 37 tackles at a near-perfect 97 percent; before captaining the Kiwi Ferns with similar astute numbers in their three games over the past month.

It is expected that Hale will make a full recovery over the coming months and be available at full fitness for the 2025 pre-season which will commence mid next year.

The Harvey Norman Jillaroos have received a major boost on the eve of Sunday's Pacific Cup final with Olivia Higgins on track to line up in the clash.

The hooker dislocated her wrist in last week's victory over New Zealand, however the joint was quickly put back in place and she has avoided further damage.

Higgins will be monitored throughout the week but is expected to be fit for this weekend's final against the Kiwi Ferns at CommBank Stadium.

The Jillaroos have managed a number of injuries throughout their Pacific Championships campaign with Lauren Brown continuing to recover from a hamstring strain suffered in the Prime Minister's XIII game.

The halfback is unlikely to feature in the final, with Knights playmaker Jesse Southwell joining the team in camp on Sunday.

Hooker Quincy Dodd started the opening match against the Orchids but suffered a minor quad injury in that match.

Bench forward Jessika Elliston is also carrying a minor quad injury and dropped out of the side the day before the game against the Kiwi Ferns.

Meanwhile, the Kiwi Ferns will be sweating on the fitness of bench utility Brooke Talataina as they head into the Cup final.

Making her Test debut in the win over the Orchids, Talataina played just 11 minutes before she was forced off the field with an ankle injury.

PNG Orchids hooker Therese Aiton was placed on report after coming down on Talataina's lower leg in the tackle but no charges were laid by the match review committee.

PNG Orchids centre La-Toniya Norris-Addo suffered an ACL injury against the Jillaroos in the opening match of the tournament and she has been replaced in the squad by Jenny Wesley.

“Unfortunately, we have had an injury to La-Toniya and we will support her in her recovery,” Orchids coach Tahnee Norris said.

“However, this has opened the door for Jenny to come into the Pacific Championships squad and puts her in line to make her Orchids debut.

“Jenny was part of the squad who played in the Prime Minister’s XIII game this month, she has worked hard on and off the field and she deserves her opportunity to join the Pacific Championships playing squad.”

Titans flyer Jaime Chapman was left out of the Jillaroos squad due to ongoing hamstring concerns but had a good hit-out for the PM's XIII with a try double and 142 run metres.

Meanwhile, Titans youngster Ivana Lolesio has returned to the field for her first run since rupturing her ACL in March.

"I got a little bit emotional which was unexpected but I'm incredibly grateful to be back on the grass again and see that light at the end of the tunnel," Lolesio told Titans.com

Lolesio's teammates Destiny Mino-Sinapati and Chantay Kiria-Ratu also missed the entire 2024 season due to knee injuries and are slowly working their way back to fitness.

"We've all seen each other's emotions and we've done everything together during this rehab journey so to be back on the field running together is a memory I'll keep forever," Lolesio said.