Cowboys’ Nanai out for four to six weeks

Jasper Bruce | July 24, 2023

State of Origin representative Jeremiah Nanai will miss up to six weeks with a shoulder injury as North Queensland attempt to lock up a spot in the NRL top eight.

Nanai went down early in the second half of the Cowboys’ 24-16 defeat of Parramatta on Saturday night and has since been diagnosed with a high-grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injury.

The Cowboys expect the second-rower to miss between four and six weeks, meaning he may not return until the NRL finals if the in-form seventh-placed Cowboys qualify.

The injury will test the Cowboys’ depth in the forward pack for Sunday’s intrastate clash with Gold Coast.

Todd Payten’s side is already missing luckless second-rower Heilum Luki to a facial injury and will not have him back until round 23.

Highly-rated rookie Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is expected to replace Nanai for at least this weekend after impressing from the bench since making his debut in round 10.