The injury that left Cameron Munster ‘rolling around like a stuffed chook’

Cameron Munster has revealed why he was left writhing in pain late in Friday night’s qualifying final against Canterbury.

The 26-18 win took the Storm to their 10th preliminary final in 11 years. But AAMI Park went quiet when Munster had his foot trapped under Jaeman Salmon with less than five minutes to go.

Replays suggested Munster might have suffered a serious ankle injury, judging by the way his foot bent under Salmon’s weight.

However, Munster revealed the incident involved his bad left ankle, which he said “has no ligaments” left in it, and that he had then he suffered a calf cramp while on the ground.

“I’ve had issues with this left ankle since the first three years of my career … and it gets a bit grumbly,” Munster said.

“My ankle got caught underneath Jaeman Salmon, but I don’t particularly think it was a hip drop or there was any malice behind it. I just got myself in an awkward position.

“But, at the same time, I cramped in my calf as well. My ankle was obviously throbbing, and my calf was cramping at the same time, and I couldn’t get the cramp out, so I was clutching at my calf as well.

“At the time, it probably looked like stage-five carry on, and I’m sure I’m getting a lot of roasting from a lot of people around the community, which is fine, and I don’t mind it. But that was probably the reason I was rolling around like a stuffed chook.

“I didn’t know which injury to look after. I was just rolling around trying to make sure I could get one of them out.”

Munster’s ankle issues have been well documented.

“I know the ankle injury didn’t look good, but I’ve done the syndesmosis a fair few times, and it has blown up a little bit,” Munster said. “I felt it go. The strapping tape on the ankle may have helped a little bit, but I just got myself in a terrible position.

“That’s probably on me. I need to get stronger ankles, but there is no cartilage there, so if I get myself in a bad position, then it is just going to give way.”

Munster played the last 10 minutes of the match at fullback after Nick Meaney was forced from the ground for a head injury assessment. Munster remained on the field after some treatment and played out the game.

“It started to come good at the end,” he said of the ankle. “I feel like with this ankle the pain just comes and goes, it grumbles. It’s pretty much bone on bone. I tried my best to hop around there at the end. We have the week off now so I can rest it and, hopefully, get myself right for the preliminary final.”

The Storm have some major injury concerns in the lead-up to the preliminary final. Jahrome Hughes is nursing a broken arm but has not giving up on a shock return, while Ryan Papenhuyzen (concussion) is likely to be back – though Meaney and Joe Chan will also need to be cleared after suffering concussions on Friday night.

Young halfback Jonah Pezet was among the Storm’s best players on Friday, so Bellamy will have no issue retaining him should Hughes not return, while it appears likely Papenhuyzen will be fit to play, which would see Meaney return to the centres.

“Hughes can get himself up – he’s a world-class athlete,” Munster said. “He knows his body better than anyone, and he won’t put himself in that position [to play] if he is not right.

“We’ve put ourselves in a great position and given those guys more of an opportunity to come back, but you can’t fault the performance of ‘Pezzy’. ‘Paps’ might be back, too.

“There is a good arsenal of players coming back. We really needed to win this one tonight so we could get them all back on deck. It’s a good headache for Bellyache [Bellamy] to have.”

The NRL has yet to confirm when the Storm’s home preliminary final will be, but it could be on Saturday night after the AFL grand final across the road at the MCG.

Crichton open to rugby move ahead of home World Cup

Roosters star Angus Crichton says a cross-code switch before the next Rugby World Cup is an option after coming close to signing with the 15-player game when he was last off contract.

Crichton is contracted to the Roosters until the end of 2026, but becomes a free agent on November 1. The NSW and Australian forward is a target for the Perth Bears, given he has a relationship with coach Mal Meninga from their time together with the Kangaroos.

However, rugby also looms as another potential destination given Crichton’s background in the code. The 29-year-old played rugby at Scots College and was selected in the NSW Schools XV and the Australian Schoolboys XV before committing to league.

The premiership-winning back-rower came close to signing with the Western Force when he was last off contract, only to remain at the Roosters after David Fifita went back on his decision to switch to Bondi Junction.

Crichton said he was “still figuring that one out” when asked about his next career move, but confirmed rugby was an option.

“I haven’t played the sport in 10 years, so I’d be interested to see where I stack up,” Crichton said. “It would be a different path, something that I’m open to. But I’m just focused on trying to win games for the Roosters here.”

Crichton could likely attract rugby interest locally, from Japanese and European clubs, and potentially start-up competition Rugby360. Asked if he was prepared to consider overseas options, Crichton said: “Yeah, potentially. I think I’m getting to the age now where I’m getting a bit older, and I want to do what’s right for my family. I’ve got to try and set myself up the best I can. Obviously, I love the club and am grateful for what I’ve been able to achieve.

“Rugby league’s given me everything I have, so these are all just scenarios that you’re tossing up, but I haven’t locked anything in yet.

“I’m just so focused on winning some games for the Roosters, and I’ve still got next year here as well, so it’s a lot of time.”

Should Crichton make the code switch at the end of next year, it may give him enough time to press claims to make the Wallabies squad before the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The Roosters have had several stars switch codes, in both directions, in recent years. Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii left for rugby at the end of last season, while former Wallaby Mark Nawaqanitawase has been a revelation in the NRL.

Ennis returns to Red V; Perth land recruitment coup after Howe integrity saga

Dan Walsh

Michael Ennis will rekindle his premiership-winning relationship with Shane Flanagan as Dragons assistant coach as the Perth Bears franchise locks in two key figures who will help recruit their inaugural roster.

Ennis’s shift from Manly to St George Illawarra was confirmed on Wednesday morning, with the 2016 Sharks title-winner joining Flanagan’s staff on a one-year deal.

The former Canterbury and Cronulla skipper is viewed by many in the game as an NRL head coach of the future, and the Sea Eagles had explored a plan for him to succeed Anthony Seibold in 2027.

Ennis knocked back a 12-month offer to continue as a part-time consultant at Manly to join the Dragons as a fully-fledged assistant, having already worked in specialist roles with Canberra, Cronulla and Parramatta.

The Sea Eagles have since held talks with NSW Origin coach Laurie Daley about filling Ennis’s role as a sounding board for Seibold.

Meanwhile, Perth have secured Broncos recruitment manager Dane Campbell to build their first 30-man roster from November 1.

Campbell, who is highly regarded from stints with Melbourne and North Queensland, will link with the Bears after Ezra Howe’s planned move fell apart amid allegations he was plotting to raid the Titans roster while still employed by the club.

St George Illawarra pathways guru and long-time Illawarra rugby league stalwart Ian Millward will join Perth as well to lead the WA side’s junior programs.

Millward has managed the Dragons junior ranks for years and has retained close ties to ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys through racing roles in the Wollongong area.

Campbell and Millward shape as critical figures in Perth’s foundation year, given the Bears have a little more than six weeks to join the player market and begin landing key signings.

Coach Mal Meninga described Campbell and Millward as “considered and smart appointments for the Perth Bears”.

“The enormity of the task shouldn’t be underestimated,” Meninga said. “They give me a great sense of confidence having them in our cave. In line with the Bears’ values of being forward-facing and bold, we will continue to have the very best of talent within our team.”

Meninga had pushed for Howe to lead his recruitment before a Titans investigation into their scouting boss allegedly unearthed evidence he had drawn up plans to raid the Gold Coast roster, highlighting skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and halfback Jayden Campbell as prime targets.

Perth has maintained the allegations against Howe are a matter for the Titans and NRL given he was never employed by the new franchise after tendering his Gold Coast resignation in July.

Fa’asuamaleaui - who has an option in his lucrative Titans deal to become a free agent on November 1 - and Storm star Cameron Munster have long been eyed as Perth’s marquee signings for 2027.

“We will talk to Tino’s management if he’s going to put himself on the market,” Meninga said last week on SEN Radio. “I’d give myself a few uppercuts if I didn’t talk to them, but I will be one of many.”

Taylan May signs two-year, $1.25m extension with Wests Tigers

Michael Chammas

Off-contract centre Taylan May has agreed to a two-year, $1.25 million extension from the Wests Tigers after earlier rejecting a three-year deal worth $1.5 million.

The Tigers last week tabled a three-year extension to keep May at the club after an impressive final seven weeks of the season, notching up four tries, three try assists and six line breaks in those outings.

After May knocked back that offer, the Tigers agreed to reduce the duration of the term but increase the value per season to around $600,000.

May was given an NRL lifeline by the Tigers this year after he parted ways with the Panthers last year. He was given a $1200-a-week train-and-trial deal at the Wests Tigers and earned another $21,000 in match payments ($3000 per NRL game).

His contract with the Panthers was worth around $650,000 per season before he reached a settlement with the club following an attempt to terminate his contract.

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has always held a high opinion of May’s ability and had him tour the Rabbitohs’ facility earlier in the year before he decided to join brother Terrell at the Tigers.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity the Tigers have provided me and the belief and faith that Benji and the coaching staff have shown in me,” May said in a statement released by the Tigers.

“I’ve been able to live out a dream to play in the NRL alongside my brother, it’s something that we’ll both remember for the rest of our lives. I’m excited for that to continue and remain part of this group.”

Hammer bashes Raiders but knee injury could jeopardise Test hopes

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow suffered a knee injury after starring as the Dolphins gave retiring veteran Mark Nicholls a perfect farewell to lock in their best NRL season with a 62-24 win over an under-strength Canberra.

Tabuai-Fidow, playing centre, started the match four tries behind Sydney Roosters whiz Mark Nawaqanitawase (23) on the NRL season leading try-scoring list.

The man known as the “Hammer” got to 22 before leaving the field in the second half with a suspected medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury which may have implications for the post-season international Tests.

The Dolphins claimed ninth position on the ladder with the final-round victory at Redcliffe, their highest-placed finish in three seasons in the NRL.

Their 12 wins were the most they had achieved in a season and they finished the year with 721 points scored, the best of any team in the NRL. The 62 points scored on Sunday was also their best ever.

Nicholls scored with his first touch off the bench and the popular prop converted his own try in a moment to savour in his 194th and final game.

The Raiders rested 11 of their top squad and gave NRL debuts to outside backs Manaia Waitere, Kane Anderson and Michael Asomua along with back-rower Joe Roddy.

Asomua, a brute of a winger, scored on debut while Roddy notched a second-half double.

Warhorse Corey Horsburgh captained Canberra for the first time while, in good news ahead of the finals, back-rower Matt Nicholson returned from a syndesmosis injury for his first NRL match since round 10.

The minor premiers have their sights on Brisbane in Canberra in next Sunday’s qualifying final with the result of the match against the Dolphins immaterial to them.

The Dolphins will look back on this year as an opportunity lost after getting as high as sixth after round 15 before three consecutive losses, to Sydney Roosters, Brisbane and Manly, scuppered their chances.

The rise and continued development of fullback Trai Fuller, winger Tevita Naufahu, utility Kurt Donoghoe and back-rowers Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Oryn Keeley have been highlights after a well-documented injury-ravaged season.

The addition next year of Brisbane outside back Selwyn Cobbo and St Helens forward Morgan Knowles will add class. They just need to get more defensive clout.

Naufahu, who scored a double, had a blinder on Sunday. Fuller, half Isaiya Katoa and Tabuai-Fidow showcased their class as the home side took a 30-0 lead at the break.

Dolphins centre Jake Averillo also scored a double.

Raiders forward Morgan Smithies was put on report for a dangerous tackle on prop Josh Kerr.

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako finished the season as the NRL’s leading points-scorer for the second time in three years.

AAP