Ben Matulino To Miss Start Of NRL Season

Bad news for Warriors fans


Article heading image for Ben Matulino To Miss Start Of NRL Season

Ben Matulino of the Warriors Photo: Getty Images

In a big blow for the Warriors, star front-rower Ben Matulino will have surgery on his knee and will miss the start of the 2017 season.

“Unfortunately, Ben injured his left knee at training and it was determined that surgical management would provide the best outcome for him at this stage of the season,” said Warriors athletic performance coach Balin Cupples.

“It is expected he will return to play early in the 2017 season.” Read the full statement below.

Warriors Official Statement

The Vodafone Warriors have today confirmed that prop Ben Matulino will miss the start of the 2017 NRL season due to a knee complaint which requires surgery.

The Kiwis international has had a disrupted pre-season after having an operation on his right knee in September, ruling him out of contention for last year’s Four Nations tournament in England.

Matulino then experienced discomfort in his left knee during training following the Christmas break and after seeking medical advice, he will have an operation in the coming days.

Vodafone Warriors head of athletic performance Balin Cupples said it was an unfortunate setback but that surgery was certainly the right option at this point in the pre-season.

“Unfortunately, Ben injured his left knee at training and it was determined that surgical management would provide the best outcome for him at this stage of the season,” he said.

“It is expected he will return to play early in the 2017 season.”

The news is a blow to new coach Stephen Kearney’s plans for the season ahead but he said it was important for Matulino to get the right treatment.

11 January 2017




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