The Brisbane Broncos have announced that Pat Carrigan has undergone surgery on his syndesmosis ankle injury, meaning he’ll miss 6-8 weeks rather than 3-4 weeks like initially hoped. And it means he’s highly likely to miss the rest of the State of Origin series for Queensland.
The Broncos initially stated that Carrigan wouldn’t need immediate surgery, but things changed when swelling didn’t decrease and the injury was revealed to be worse than first thought. The back-rower had to go under the knife on Thursday and has been ruled out for 6-8 weeks.
Pat Carrigan and Queensland teammates alongside Billy Slater
With State of Origin 3 just five weeks away, Carrigan has effectively been ruled out for the rest of the Origin series. But the Maroons veteran will take some hope by the fact players have returned from syndesmosis surgery in just five weeks – like Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase is doing on Friday night.
Pat Carrigan in action for the Broncos.
According to leading physio Brien Seeney, around 75 per cent of players return in the 6-8 week window, however the fastest return has been just four weeks. Broncos football boss Troy Thomson told The Courier Mail on Thursday: “We were originally hopeful we could avoid (surgery) but his ankle hasn’t settled down over the last few days and the doctors recommended having the operation.
“We’ve got a couple of byes coming up so Pat won’t miss too many games during his time out. We’re expecting him to be back after our last bye (in round 19), so he should be OK for the Penrith game (in Round 20).”
Who replaces Pat Carrigan in State of Origin?
Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is a chance to take Carrigan’s spot on the Maroons’ bench after he was 20th man for Game 1. Teammate Tom Gilbert has put his hand up for selection, while Maroons great Corey Parker has floated Kobe Hetherington as a potential debutant.
“The traits he displays every week are exactly what you need in Origin,” Parker told AAP this week. “I don’t mean the big name. You need someone who is willing to get down and dirty defensively and compete hard and that is exactly what he does.
“Kobe is starting front-row for Manly and they are travelling great at the moment. It is just his tenacity. He has got good leg speed and fits the Origin bill of somebody who could fulfil that role off the bench for Queensland.”