Both Hull sides have suffered major injury blows this last week, as reigning Man of Steel Mikey Lewis was forced off during Hull KR’s 14-12 victory over Wakefield Trinity with what looked to be a knee injury, while Hull FC powerhouse Ligi Sao’s season was ended by a ruptured patella injury during their defeat against Wigan.

KR playmaker Lewis was in the act of scoring what turned out to be the winning try at Belle Vue when he suffered his injury. Despite being strapped up and hobbling on for a significant amount of time, Lewis was eventually forced off. The decision to allow him to remain on the field has been a controversial one amongst fans, with fears that the additional time on the pitch may have aggravated the injury. He re-emerged from the changing rooms during the final few minutes on crutches and in a protective boot, hobbling around the pitch following the final whistle to greet his teammates.

It is understood that the half-back had a scan on Friday on the injury, with a follow-up due today, the results of which could dictate how much more he can contribute to the Robins’ season. Kr head coach Willie Peters had this to say on the injury following the game: “Mikey has had an issue there before and he might have aggravated it. We’ve got to wait and see after a scan.”

Meanwhile, over the other side of the River Hull, Hull FC’s Samoan prop forward Ligi Sao will play no further part in the 2025 season. The powerhouse ruptured his patella during their game against Wigan, with the injury typically taking between nine and twelve months to full recovery, it comes at the worst time for Sao, who is off-contract at the end of the season, and therefore his long-term future is uncertain. The club is understood to have applied for special dispensations on their salary cap and quota in order to enter the recruitment market for a replacement, as the injury has happened so early into the season.

Hull also have Zak Hardaker (groin), Jed Cartwright (hamstring), Oliver Holmes (knee), Davy Litten (MCL), Jack Charles (ankle), Matty Laidlaw (MCL), and Roman Dawson (ACL) out for Friday’s trip to Huddersfield, but hooker Amir Bourouh may return, as long as he passes concussion protocols, as well as a potential return for Jack Ashworth from illness.

There were worrying scenes in Salford on Saturday, as Leeds Rhinos playmaker Brodie Croft was stretchered from the field following a head knock against the Salford Red Devils. Thankfully, the club later reported that the former Man of Steel was back on his feet and walking around, with head coach Brad Arthur hopeful that his star half-back will be back sooner rather than later after he sits out a week due to the league’s concussion protocols.

Cameron Smith also picked up an injury during the course of the game, and was seen on crutches and sporting a protective boot. Leeds currently also have Mikolaj Oledzki, Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo, Jack Sinfield, Ned McCormack, Ben Littlewood and Max Simpson out injured.

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

Source: Lewis injury quote: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/c8x4eg7ne1zo, Hull FC injury details: https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/hull-fc-dealt-ligi-sao-9967757, Brodie Croft injury: https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/leeds-rhinos-dealt-major-injury-blow-as-brodie-croft-update-provided-by-brad-arthur