The Canberra Raiders will dig deep for Joey Leilua as their star centre undergoes season-ending surgery on his neck.
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His loss is a massive blow, but they're confident they can cover him.
They're also confident Leilua still has a big part to play in their 2019 campaign, even if it he doesn't play again.
Leilua will have surgery on the bulging disc he injured in the loss to Manly, with the Raiders expecting him to miss the rest of the season.
Disc surgery can lead to anywhere from three-six months on the sideline depending on the severity of the damage, but for Leilua it's clearly at the more serious end given three months would see him return about round 22.
The news comes on the eve of their biggest game of the NRL season - up against reigning premier Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Compounding their frustration was their flights to Brisbane on Friday were cancelled and they were forced to go via Melbourne.
Raiders five-eighth Jack Wighton said the travel "shambles" wouldn't affect them as they look for their fourth win a row against the Roosters.
But he said the loss of Leilua came at the worst possible time when the centre's game had gone to another level.
Leilua was not only the Raiders' equal-leading try scorer, but he'd also tightened his defence up.
Wighton said no one realised how serious the injury was.
"That's huge. We were all taking the mickey out of Joey a little bit and having a laugh about his neck, but when we found out it was pretty bad it's a massive blow for us because he's such an important part of this team," he said.
"Hopefully he's all good, but it's definitely a massive blow.
"He was on fire. He's been great for the team. He's really stepped his game up this year in defence and attack. We're going to have to really dig deep to cover him."
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Wighton's halves partner Sam Williams said Leilua was in reasonable spirits following the news.
It came as Leilua had played his way into the State of Origin picture, with a spot at right centre up for grabs.
Williams said Leilua's input would still play an important role in their season.
He said it would also provide an opportunity for veteran Michael Oldfield to establish himself.
"It's quite a substantial injury and something you wouldn't wish on anyone, but it's happened now," Williams said.
"BJ's not in too bad spirits. He's obviously really disappointed, but he'll still have a lot to do with this team going forward.
"His input into meetings and things like that will still be quite valuable.
"As much as it's a big blow it gives Oldie an opportunity to step in and try and make his mark."
Wighton was confident Oldfield could do the job, with his first ask to go head-to-head with Roosters star Latrell Mitchell.
It will be just Oldfield's 11th NRL game for the Raiders since switching from Penrith two years ago.
But he's done the job when asked to fill in, scoring eight tries in that time.
"Oldie's class mate. Oldie's one of our reliable boys here. He does the job no matter what so we're fully confident in him," Wighton said.
But it wasn't the only injury blow for the Green Machine this week.
They'd already lost England international John Bateman (eye socket), who came off second best in a collision with Penrith second-rower Viliame Kikau.
Bateman also needed surgery and will be out for 6-8 weeks, but could return for the round-15 clash against Parramatta.
"It's a challenge, but every team's going to come across these sort of setbacks throughout the season so it's important we stick together," Williams said.
"We're lucky we've got players and some good depth in some key positions.
"Obviously injuries are never ideal, but it also gives new blokes opportunities and enthusiasm comes with that.
"Going forward we're going to be better for the run."
NRL ROUND NINE
Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, 2pm.
Raiders squad: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Jarrod Croker (c), 4. Michael Oldfield, 5. Jordan Rapana, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Sam Williams, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Josh Hodgson (c), 10. Dunamis Lui, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead, 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Siliva Havili, 15. Bailey Simonsson, 16. Sia Soliola, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Aidan Sezer, 19. Emre Guler, 20. Royce Hunt, 21. Jack Murchie.
Roosters squad: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Latrell Mitchell, 4. Joseph Manu, 5. Matt Ikuvalu, 6. Luke Keary, 7. Cooper Cronk, 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, 9. Victor Radley, 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho, 11. Boyd Cordner (c), 12. Angus Crichton, 13. Isaac Liu. Interchange: 14. Nat Butcher, 15. Zane Tetevano, 16. Sitili Tupouniua, 17. Mitchell Aubusson. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins, 19. Josh Curran, 20. Lachlan Lam, 21. Sam Verrills.