Samoa winger Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow looks set to miss a chunk of the Dolphins' NRL pre-season with an ankle injury as coach Matt Parish surveys the wreckage of a disastrous Rugby League World Cup opener which could cost him three players for the rest of the event.
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Heavily-touted to upset hosts England in Newcastle on Saturday (Sunday morning AEDT), the Samoans barely fired a shot as they went on to lose 60-6.
And to make matters worse, Parish looks set to lose three members of his starting squad in next week's game with Greece.
Tabuai-Fidow has picked up a suspected ankle injury after starting on the wing.
If he requires surgery, it could delay his return to pre-season training with his new club.
Cronulla prop Braden Hamlin-Uele also pulled up with an injury while utlity Tyrone May, now with Catalans Dragons, suffered a dislocated hip which led to a lengthy delay in the second half at St James' Park.
"He (May) is in Royal Newcastle Hospital, I believe," Parish said.
"We have a few injured guys in there who I don't think will play any further part in the tournament.
"Braden is a calf and I think Hamiso has syndesmosis.
"He is in a moon boot and crutches. So I would be surprised if either of those three would take any further part."
Tabuai-Fidow sealed a move to the Dolphins ahead of the 2023 season and his future teammate Anthony Milford is likely to be facing suspension.
Milford was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on England captain Sam Tomkins in the second half and could be ruled out of their remaining two pool games against Greece and France.
Chanel Harris-Tavita looms as Milford's most likely replacement.
"We're not looking for excuses or anything like that," Parish said.
"We didn't have a lot of luck, injury-wise, we probably need to be a bit more resilient."
Australian Associated Press
