Payne Haas out for 4-6 weeks, Brisbane Broncos, Cameron Munster return date, Melbourne Storm, Round 5, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Sua Fa’alogo, full casualty ward – MASHAHER

Broncos coach Kevin Walters has confirmed superstar prop Payne Haas requires surgery on his knee and will miss four to six weeks.

It’s a major blow for Brisbane, who have started the season 1-1, and face Penrith in the grand final rematch on Thursday night.

Haas suffered the injury playing against the Rabbitohs last Thursday night.

“He’s had some scans. It’ll be a four to six week injury,” Walters said on Fox League.

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“He’ll have to have minor surgery on his knee. It hasn’t been right into the trials and into rounds one and two.

“The doctors have had a great look at him and they’re going to operate on him early next week. It’s minor surgery and we expect him to be out for four to six weeks.

“For me, that’s a great result. That’s much better than anything longer or missing half a season or even longer than that.

“Again, Payne’s one of those guys, ultra professional, I’d be surprised if he’s not back even earlier than that given the way he treats himself and his body.

MUNSTER’S RETURN DATE

Storm officials expect Cameron Munster to return from a lingering groin injury in Round 5 following their bye.

Melbourne initially thought Munster would be ready for the start of the season however the club struggled to get on top of the injury which kept flaring up.

But Storm general manager Frank Ponissi said they’re now confident the star five-eighth will return in Round 5 against the Broncos.

“Cameron is getting closer and we’re very hopeful Cameron will be back for the after the bye on Thursday fortnight,” Ponissi said.

Ponissi also confirmed young gun fullback Sua Fa’alogo was set to play in Round 3 but picked up a left ankle injury while playing for the North Sydney Bears last weekend.

Star prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) is a chance to play for one of the Storm’s feeder teams this weekend with an eye to returning alongside Munster in Round 5.

The Knights are the only injury-free club heading into Round 3, read on for the full NRL casualty ward.

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FULL CASUALTY WARD

BRONCOS

Adam Reynolds (knee) — Round 4-5

Payne Haas (knee) — Round 4-5

RAIDERS

Seb Kris (head knock) — Round 4

Corey Horsburgh (suspended) — Round 4

Corey Harawira-Naera (seizure/medical) — indefinite

BULLDOGS

Josh Addo-Carr (shoulder) — Round 4

Poasa Faamausilli (head knock) — Round 4

Karl Oloapu (neck) — season

Ryan Sutton (knee) – season

SHARKS

Braden Hamlin-Uele (knee) — Round 4

Kade Dykes (hamstring) — TBC

Jesse Colquhoun (foot) — indefinite

DOLPHINS

Ray Stone (head knock) — Round 4

Kodi Nikorima (head knock) — Round 4

Connelly Lemuelu (knee) — Round 6

Anthony Milford (hamstring) — TBC

Tom Gilbert (knee) — season

TITANS

Jayden Campbell (knee) — Round 4

David Fifita (pec) — Round 4

SEA EAGLES

Tommy Talau (leg) — Round 4

Josh Schuster (calf) — Round 4

Toafofoa Sipley (suspended) — Round 4

Matt Lodge (knee) — Round 6

Jason Saab (hamstring) — Round 7

STORM

Cameron Munster (groin) — Round 5

Nelson Asofa-Solomona (hamstring) — Round 5

COWBOYS

Heilum Luki (ankle) — Round 9

Jamayne Taunoa-Brown (Achilles) — mid-season

Coen Hess (knee) — season

EELS

Bailey Simonsson (head knock) — Round 4

Maika Sivo (suspended) — Round 4

Arthur Miller-Stephen (knee) — season

PANTHERS

James Fisher-Harris (shoulder) — Round 4-5

RABBITOHS

Jai Arrow (shoulder) — Round 8

Campbell Graham (sternum) — Round 20-22

DRAGONS

Jacob Liddle (head knock) — Round 4

Francis Molo (suspended) — Round 4

Hame Sele (hamstring) — Round 4-5

Corey Allan (knee) — season

ROOSTERS

Luke Keary (head knock) — Round 4-5

Spencer Leniu (suspension) — Round 10

WARRIORS

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (hamstring/back) — Round 5

Marata Niukore (foot) — TBC

Edward Kosi (hand) — early rounds

Demitric Sifakula (knee) — indefinite

TIGERS

Latu Fainu (hamstring) — Round 4

Josh Feledy (shoulder) — Round 4

Solomone Saukuru (shoulder) — Round 4

Sione Fainu (foot) — Round 5

Starford To’a (ankle) — Round 11

Adam Doueihi (knee) — Round 17