Manly's Steve Matai is brought down during a match against the NZ Warriors. Photo/Richard Robinson
The NRL has requested more information from Manly on the potentially career-ending injury to former NZ Kiwis centre Steve Matai, as the club applies for a salary cap exemption on medical grounds.
Last week, the Sea Eagles confirmed they had applied for medical retirement clearances for both Matai and fellow
club veteran Brett Stewart, after they had failed to return to training ahead of the 2017 season.
The NRL has already rejected Stewart's case based on his ongoing knee injury, while the probe into Matai's neck and shoulder region is continuing, as the club looks to strike his wages from the cap.
It's understood Manly will need to point to a specific incident in which Matai sustained the current injury and that it is separate to any ongoing issues that have plagued his career.
Complicating the case further for Manly is the fact the NRL doctor presiding over the matter is Paul Bloomfield - the same man who led Manly's medical department between 2000-12.
