{"id":586774,"date":"2026-04-05T09:29:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T09:29:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/586774\/"},"modified":"2026-04-05T09:29:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T09:29:17","slug":"luckless-star-luke-metcalf-suffers-fresh-injury-blow-one-week-after-comeback-in-warriors-defeat-to-cronulla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/586774\/","title":{"rendered":"Luckless star Luke Metcalf suffers fresh injury blow one week after comeback in Warriors\u2019 defeat to Cronulla"},"content":{"rendered":"

Luke Metcalf\u2019s luckless run has continued with the Warriors<\/a> half suffering an apparent hamstring injury as his side succumbed to a 36-22 loss to Cronulla<\/a>.<\/p>\n

On a day when off-contract fullback Will Kennedy sent another reminder of his value to Cronulla, Metcalf limped off late as the Warriors suffered a second straight loss.<\/p>\n

The star of last season and Dally M leader before he suffered an ACL rupture, Metcalf had only returned from that injury last week against Wests Tigers before Sunday\u2019s blow.<\/p>\n

Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n

The 27-year-old looked in clear discomfort as he left the field, leaving him in significant doubt to face Melbourne next Saturday night.<\/p>\n

Making matters worse for the Warriors will be a neck injury for centre Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who was at least cleared of a concussion.<\/p>\n

Questions would already have been asked about the Warriors\u2019 attack, after they won the opening three games before Metcalf\u2019s return.<\/p>\n

Halfback Tanah Boyd in particular had a tough afternoon on Sunday at Ocean Protect Stadium, in both attack and defence.<\/p>\n

It was down Boyd\u2019s right-edge defensive channel that Kennedy scored Cronulla\u2019s first two tries, first sent over by Braydon Trindall and then Nicho Hynes.<\/p>\n

One of several Sharks off contract at the end of this year, Kennedy had to wait until last October to have his future secured for 2026 at the Sharks.<\/p>\n

Cronulla must decide whether they see him as the long-term No.1 at the club, or if Liam Ison is the man to take over once he returns to full flight after an ACL rupture.<\/p>\n

What is clear is that Kennedy fits into the Sharks system.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old finished Sunday with nine tackle busts to go with his two tries, while he also put Sione Katoa into space late.<\/p>\n

KL Iro also tormented the Warriors down that side with a try and nine tackle busts, as the Sharks went back into the top eight with their first back-to-back wins of 2026.<\/p>\n

Hynes and Trindall again combined nicely in the win, while a knee injury for Jesse Ramien was the only concern for the Sharks.<\/p>\n

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak scored a hat-trick of tries for the Warriors, including when he picked off a Trindall pass to go 80 metres and score in front of a chasing Kennedy.<\/p>\n

The winger\u2019s third \u2014 again from another brilliant corner put-down \u2014 had the Warriors back to 24-16 down after halftime.<\/p>\n

But when Blayke Brailey grubber-kicked out of dummy-half for a chasing Teig Wilton with 30 minutes to go, the game was effectively over.<\/p>\n

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