Bulldogs give Crichton update, reveal Kikau outlook
George Clarke |
Cameron Ciraldo is making no apologies for taking a cautious approach with Stephen Crichton as Canterbury ruled their captain out of a potentially season-defining clash with Wests Tigers.
Ciraldo revealed on Friday that back-rower Viliame Kikau would make his return on Saturday from a three-month lay-off with a torn pectoral muscle.
But Crichton will have to wait a further week to return to the field after being taken off Accor Stadium last Saturday in a medi-cab with a nerve issue that caused the Samoan international to lose feeling in his right arm.
“I’d rather be over cautious in those sorts of scenarios,” Ciraldo said.
“He obviously got the scan and it wasn’t too bad, which was great news, and he’s done really well to try and get himself back.
“He actually had a run last night (on Thursday) and tried a little bit of contact, but it probably wasn’t exactly where we wanted it to be.
“I think the safest bet is to not play this week, but he should be a chance for next week (against the Warriors).”
Sean O’Sullivan will take Crichton’s place in the halves alongside Lachlan Galvin, who will go head to head with Jarome Luai in the Tigers’ co-captain’s first game since sealing a move to Parramatta for 2027.
Crichton’s absence is a considerable out but the return of Kikau should give the 11th-placed Bulldogs (7-9) a new dimension in attack as they look to keep in touching distance with the top eight.
Except for wooden spoon favourites St George Illawarra, the Bulldogs have the worst attack in the NRL this season and average just 18.3 points per game.
“You can feel what he (Kikau) brings to our team in training, let alone what he does in the game,” Ciraldo said.
“He’s so important to our team as one of our leaders, but also one of our strike players as well.
“It hasn’t been easy with him not being on the field but we’re really grateful that he’s coming back this weekend.”
Meanwhile, Ciraldo played down the chances of the Bulldogs debuting highly rated prospect Mitchell Woods in NRL this season after the playmaker suffered another hamstring tear in NSW Cup.
Woods has been touted as a long-term halves option for Canterbury but has played just one game of reserve grade in 2026 as a result of recurring injuries.
“It’s a fairly significant hamstring tear and with his history there, we’ll be pretty cautious with it,” Ciraldo said.
“It’s not looking great for the rest of the season but he’s got a long career ahead of him, and that’s what we’re focusing on.”
AAP