Ethan Strange has been ruled out of Canberra’s NRL semifinal against Cronulla in a big blow to the minor premiers’ hopes of avoiding a devastating straight-sets exit.
In the midst of a breakout season, the gun five-eighth took ill overnight and will be replaced in the halves by utility Simi Sasagi.
Sasagi has enjoyed a great year in his own right, but has never started a first-grade game in the halves before, though he has played a handful of NSW Cup games there.
English recruit Matty Nicholson will join the bench to replace Sasagi, with Danny Levi promoted to 18th man.
Strange has been vital to the Raiders’ rise into heavyweight status this season, becoming prized for his fantastic running game and ability to find the tryline.
He appears the favourite to win five-eighth of the year at the Dally M Awards later this finals series.
Strange’s absence will put extra pressure on halfback Jamal Fogarty to spark the Raiders’ attack following concerns over his performance at the back-end of the week-one finals loss to Brisbane.
News of Strange’s injury comes after the Raiders spent the lead-in to last week’s qualifying final managing an injury to another of their star players in Josh Papalii.
Coach Ricky Stuart had confirmed as recently as Friday morning that he expected a fully fit team for the clash against the Sharks, which entered the finals as one of the NRL’s form teams.
The winner of the semifinal will face Melbourne at AAMI Park in a grand-final qualifier next Friday night.
ABC Sport will be live blogging and calling all of the action from tonight’s semi-final, with the game set to start at 7:50pm.
AAP