North Queensland Toyota Cowboys forwards Jeremiah Nanai and Griffin Neame are set to be sidelined for the start of the 2026 NRL season due to respective shoulder injuries.
Nanai suffered his injury playing for Samoa on October 26 and was subsequently sent for scans after meeting with Cowboys medical staff upon his return to North Queensland.
Scans revealed the 22-year-old would need a shoulder reconstruction, which was completed earlier this week.
Neame originally picked up his injury in August and underwent a shoulder reconstruction later that month.
The 24-year-old was originally expected to be fit for Round 1, but has endured a setback in his recovery.
Timelines for the returns of both players will become clearer in the New Year.
In positive news, winger Murray Taulagi escaped serious injury after picking up a knee complaint playing for Samoa in the Pacific Championships final.
Scans revealed an MCL injury, with Taulagi expected to return to full training immediately after the Christmas break.
