The New Zealand Warriors have been dealt an injury blow on the eve of the NRL season with halfback Te Maire Martin ruled out for 12 weeks after breaking the fibula in his right leg.
The injury occurred in the annual Māori-Indigenous All Stars match at FMG Stadium in Hamiltonon Sunday.
Martin was involved in a tackle on Indigenous winger Josh Addo-Carr in the 25th minute when Māori second rower Briton Nikora’s knee accidentally collided with Martin’s leg.
Martin will have surgery on his leg with a return to play date set at round 11 or 12. He fractured the fibula in his left leg playing against the Newcastle Knights early in the 2023 season.
Martin played 17 games for the Warriors last season.
Indigenous winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira is following concussion protocols after receiving a head knock on Sunday
Coming off the injured list this week is fullback Taine Tuaupiki (leg) who has been cleared to play in Friday night’s second and final Preseason Challenge match against the Dolphins in Sydney.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (hamstring), Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) and Marata Niukore (calf) are unavailable again this week but will be back in the frame for the Warriors’ round one NRL match against the Sydney Roosters at Go Media Stadium on Friday, March 6.
