NRL: Rapira cleared of serious injury

Sam Rapira. Photo / Getty Images

Frontrower Sam Rapira has been cleared of serious injury and is expected to be available for selection when the New Zealand Warriors open their National Rugby League campaign on March 12.

The Kiwi prop injured a wrist in the Warriors' pre-season victory over Queensland Cup side the Burleigh Bears in Whangarei last weekend.

Coach Ivan Cleary said today that the results of scans on the wrist had shown no structural damage.

Cleary said Rapira wouldn't play in the club's final trial against Manly in Auckland this weekend.

However, he "should be fine" by the time the round-one fixture against Parramatta at Eden Park comes around.

Cleary said the two frontline players yet to appear in the Warriors' pre-season programme - skipper and second rower Simon Mannering and fullback Lance Hohaia - would both be in action against the Sea Eagles at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday.

- NZPA