Injured RCG more concerned with Eels than NSW: Arthur

Jasper Bruce | April 26, 2023

Brad Arthur insists Reagan Campbell-Gillard is less concerned with missing State of Origin honours than club games for Parramatta after the Eels confirmed the prop would spend up to 10 weeks recovering from a groin injury.

Campbell-Gillard struggled to walk following a hip-drop-style tackle from fellow front-rower Payne Haas in the 26-16 loss to Brisbane at Darwin’s TIO Stadium on Friday night.

The 29-year-old spent the night in hospital and despite initial fears he had suffered a hip fracture, the Eels revealed on Wednesday a groin injury would keep the hard-hitting forward out for 8-10 weeks.

Campbell-Gillard is now out of contention for at least the first two Origin matches, to be played on May 31 and June 21, and will have limited time to prove his credentials for the third game on July 12.

He has been a stand-out performer for the Eels this season and had been in the frame for a NSW recall, having been controversially overlooked for the final two games of last year’s series.

But coach Arthur predicted Campbell-Gillard would take the impending omissions in his stride.

“On a personal note for Reg, that’s difficult for him to handle. He hasn’t talked about that and he’s not that sort of person, either,” he said.

“He’s more about his team and what he can do for his mates.

“I thought when he was playing some good footy he missed out on a few selection calls but he didn’t let that bother him and he was happy just to be around his mates.

“Reg will be fine, he’ll handle that disappointment.”

Wests Tigers have revealed recruit Charlie Staines battled through his side’s tight round-eight loss to Manly with a perforated bowel, and will now miss up to three months as he recovers after surgery.

Staines, who finished the match, is believed to have picked up his injury in a tackle during the second half of Sunday’s 22-16 loss to the Sea Eagles at Campbelltown Stadium.

When his pain increased post-game, Staines notified club doctors and was admitted to hospital.

He remains there after undergoing surgery on Monday and will be replaced on the wing by veteran David Nofoaluma for this weekend’s clash with reigning champions Penrith.

Tigers prop David Klemmer, known as one of the toughest customers in the NRL, was impressed by Staines’ resolve to finish the contest.

“My respect for him has gone up another level,” Klemmer said.

“Adrenalin got him through but as soon as the game stopped it must have just hit him like a ton of bricks.

“It’s pretty amazing what he did. He was still taking carries and making tackles and putting them through it. It’s a massive credit to him.

“I’m just glad that he’s safe.”

The injury is expected to rule Staines out for between eight and 12 weeks and is the latest blow to a side already missing five-eighth Adam Doueihi to a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament tear.

Staines’ premiership-winning former Panthers teammate Izack Tago suffered a pectoral injury late in last week’s 20-18 loss to South Sydney and has been replaced by veteran utility Tyrone Peachey for Saturday’s clash with the Tigers.

While pectoral injuries usually come with long spells in the casualty ward, Tago will not require surgery and the Panthers are hopeful he is sidelined for less than a month.