Mataora bravely risked finger troubleCANBERRA back rower Sam Mataora has been praised for bravely risking losing the use of his finger by playing in Saturday’s crucial win over the Roosters.
The Raiders forward injured his right ring finger against the Panthers two weeks ago but played with the injury knowing Saturday’s match would be the last game for him in 2012.
Mataora undergo surgery on Tuesday to have tendons repaired, but the recovery time will see him miss the rest of the year.
Mataora has no choice but to have the surgery, as the longer he waits the greater chance he has of losing the use of the finger.
“He’s actually torn the tendon there and if you dont get (it fixed) now you robably cant rescue it,” Raiders coach David Furner said.
“It’s one of those injuries that if you dont operate now, you lose the use of that finger.
“Pain wise it was OK, but it was about restoring movement in that finger, when that tendon is ruptured you need to attend to it straight away.
“He was able to give us one game and I thought that was pretty special.”
Furner was full of praise for Mataora and said he would be missed as the ninth placed side makes a late dash for the finals.
"Sammy went into the game knowing it would be his last for 2012 and showed huge courage to go out and play knowing we were down on numbers,” Furner said.
"He's shattered that he'll be out for the rest of the year but he needs to make sure he gets the surgery done to prevent long term damage."
The Raiders host first placed Canterbury on Friday night are hoping to get Tom Learoyd-Lahrs back this week after he ran again on Monday.
Learoyd-Lahrs will however need to pass a series of fitness tests before he can take a place in the team.
“He’s a slight chance,” Furner said of the former NSW Origin forward.
“He ran today.. it would be nice with Sam Mataora going in for an operation tomorrow.”
Jarrad Kennedy is in line for a spot on the bench while Josh Dugan will play despite receiving stitches after he was struck in the head by opposing number Anthony Minichiello.
“He’s okay,” Furner said of Dugan.
“He’s got a few bumps an bruises and stitches there but he’s fine.”
Source: Sports News First
Topic: Young Raider Praised for Bravely Taking the Field Against Roosters
