Samoa’s Pacific Championships campaign has been dealt a blow after Stephen Crichton was ruled out with an ankle injury.
The centre suffered the injury in the Bulldogs’ qualifying final loss to the Storm and was forced to watch their season end at the hands of the Panthers in week two of the finals.
While he initially hoped to line up for Samoa when they take on New Zealand and Tonga in the end of season tournament, Crichton confirmed he will miss the Pacific Championships.
“Not the way I wanted the season to end but God’s plan is always greater than mine,” Crichton posted on his Instagram account.
“With a season filled with highs and lows I’m truly grateful to be a part of the blue and white! Super excited for what’s to come for this great club. Big love to the best fans in the world. We go again.
“Footy for 2k25 done and dusted.”
Dolphins superstar Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will miss the Pacific Championships after suffering a grade-three MCL injury in Sunday’s game against the Raiders.
Tabuai-Fidow is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks, ruling him out of the tournament that kicks off on October 18.
The ‘Hammer’ had been linked with a move back to Samoa for the Pacific Championships and he was also in consideration for the Kangaroos squad to play England in the Ashes.
Also out of the Pacific Championships are Tonga duo Haumole Olakau’atu and Taniela Paseka.
Olakau’atu continues to rehab after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction and is expected to be back to full contact in January while Paseka has completed a six-month rehabilitation program following surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon and is expected to commence pre-season training in November.
The Sea Eagles pair played all three matches for Tonga in last year’s Pacific Championships, with Olakau’atu scoring a try against Australia in the final.
