Benji Marshall will not be rushed back from a toe injury to save the fading NRL hopes of the Wests Tigers, who also lost their centre pairing for six weeks.
Scans on Monday confirmed Blake Ayshford (syndesmosis, ankle) and Chris Lawrence (hamstring) will both miss six weeks due to injuries sustained in Saturday night’s costly loss to Brisbane.
As expected, fullback-cum-halfback Tim Moltzen’s ACL tear was confirmed and he will undergo season-ending surgery on his left knee on Tuesday.
The injured trio leaves an enormous gap in the Tigers’ backline – and it’s one which will not be filled by star playmaker Marshall.
The New Zealand international has missed the past two games with a toe injury but will not be risked by coach Mick Potter in Friday night’s clash with Canterbury.
That news should please prop Aaron Woods, who doesn’t want Marshall to return if he is below his best, fearing it could lead to a season-ending injury for the Tigers’ most lethal attacking weapon.
“We want him to be 100 per cent right,” Woods said on Monday.
“Because if he comes back 80 per cent, he’ll come back and hurt himself and we’ll lose him for the rest of the year, which we don’t want.
“We’re giving Benji as much time as he wants.
“I don’t know if he’ll play this week, or the next couple of weeks – it’s just up to the physio.”
The Tigers’ injury toll is reaching crisis point, with Marshall joined by five-eighth Braith Anasta (groin), props Keith Galloway (pec), Matt Bell (finger) and James Gavet (knee) and outside backs Moltzen, Lawrence, Ayshford, David Nofoaluma (knee) and Lote Tuqiri (arm).
Potter’s selection headache received minor relief with livewire winger Marika Koroibete recovering from a foot injury, allowing Joel Reddy to switch from the wing to cover one of the centre spots.
However that still leaves the No.7 jersey and other centre role unfilled.
But Woods believes the likes of halfback Luke Brooks and centre Tim Simona would handle the step up in class with ease if called on.
“It’s a massive hole, a massive dent,” he said.
“But we’ve got our young blokes going well in the 20s and premier league, so they’ll step up come this week against the Dogs.
“… No doubt they’d handle it.
“I reckon it’s a lot easier coming up to first grade and playing with the guys we’ve got there.
“It’s not too hard. They’ve just got to go into the game prepared 100 per cent.
“All the boys have got all the faith in the world in them. We’ll be ready when they come in.”
Bell is expected to miss two months after injuring a tendon in his right hand last week.
