The Canterbury Bulldogs have been dealt a significant setback ahead of their Friday night clash with the Knights, as star forward Viliame Kikau is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Kikau, 29, sustained a compound fracture to his ring finger during the Bulldogs’ emphatic 44-12 victory over the Dragons last week. The powerhouse forward, currently ranked sixth on the Dally M leaderboard, is set to undergo surgery on Monday morning.
Phil Gould, Canterbury’s general manager, shared the unfortunate news on X:
“Viliame Kikau will undergo surgery today to repair a nasty compound fracture of his ring finger, sustained during last week’s game. Recovery time is expected to be from four to six weeks depending on the surgery today.”
Kikau has been a formidable presence on the left edge for the Bulldogs, playing a pivotal role in pushing the team into finals contention. His absence will be keenly felt as the Bulldogs aim to maintain their momentum and secure a playoff spot. The team’s depth and resilience will be tested in the coming weeks as they navigate this challenging period without one of their key players.