Richard Penisini, an emerging player with the Eels, will be sidelined for the whole 2024 season due to an ACL injury.
For the 18-year-old, who played SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, and made his New South Wales Cup debut last season, it’s a heartbreaking blow.
Before sustaining the injury during practice in December, the young center was expected to have more chances in the Cup this year.
This comes after fellow young talent Arthur Miller-Stephen, who played in the NRL for the first time in the previous season, also sustained an ACL injury that prevented him from playing in the 2024 season.
Penisini has had surgery and started his rehabilitation regimen, according to the Eels.
The team also provided an update on Wiremu Greig (quad) and Ryan Matterson (quad). Matterson has resumed his regular training regimen, and in the upcoming weeks, Greig will follow suit.
Makahesi Makatoa (pectoral), Junior Paulo (toe), Daejarn Asi (finger), and Clint Gutherson (knee) are anticipated to be healthy for Round 1.
“The club sends its best wishes for the future to him and his family.”
Afterwards, they declared that Faitala-Mariner had inked a two-year contract that would expire at the end of 2025.
He brings 114 games of first-grade experience from 10 seasons at the Warriors and Bulldogs, as well as four Test appearances for Samoa and New Zealand, to the Red V, effective immediately.
Coach Shane Flanagan stated, “Raymond is a seasoned first-grader who will add some experience and grit to our forward pack.”
