Scans last night confirmed the Sharks worst fears, with hooker Cameron King suffering a torn ACL in the trial match against the Bulldogs on Saturday night.
King, who only recently joined the Sharks, injured the knee in the early stages of the second half of the game played in Port Moresby, with the injury more than likely putting an end to his 2020 season.
Due to bruising and swelling in the knee, surgery has yet to be scheduled.
The injury is a shattering blow for the popular and capable number nine, with King coming to the Sharks looking to re-establish his NRL career this season after playing for the Featherstone Rovers in the UK in 2019.
In other injury news, the diagnosis on Wade Graham’s ankle problem was a positive one, with the Sharks skipper expected to take part in his teams’ trial against Manly on Sunday.
Graham came from the field late in the All Stars match with some ankle discomfort however the problem hasn’t turned out to be a serious one.
Briton Nikora, who was a member of the victorious Maori team, along with Jesse Ramien from the Indigenous side, both came through the All Stars unscathed and will be included in the team for the Manly trial.
Ronaldo Mulitalo is an unlikely starter on Sunday with a minor knee complaint after being replaced early in the Bulldogs game but is expected to be fit and available for round one, while Matt Moylan and Mawene Hiroti will both need to be assessed this week before final decisions are made on their status for this weekend’s trial.
Andrew Fifita and Braden Hamlin-Uele will get game time against Manly in their first official hit out for the year, with the pair having overcome off-season injury issues and approaching full fitness.
Bronson Xerri is on track for a return in either round one or round two following off-season shoulder surgery.
