Bulldogs star Viliame Kikau’s facial injury horror revealed | Sport Confidential

In fact the injury can be traced back to Canterbury’s final round of the regular season with Kikau picked up the facial issue against the Sharks.

Kikau picked up a knock in the same spot against the Storm in the opening week of the finals which made it seem like it was a fresh injury.

Much was made of the fact that he refused to get scans following the game against Melbourne but he knew the extent of the damage already.

Kikau opted to play on and took on the Panthers last Sunday. You could see the impact of the injury in the post-game press conference where he sit next to coach Cameron Ciraldo.

The injury will have him in doubt to play for Fiji at the end of year Pacific Championships.

LOVE ISLAND STARS, TIKTOK CELEBS: PONGA JOINS INFLUENCER STABLE

Kalyn Ponga famously uses his father, Andre, as his agent, but he is branching out when it comes to his social media profile after linking with a company that counts influencers and Love Island contestants among its talent.

Ponga has joined forces with Flare Media Partners, whose catchcry is “to shine with intensity”. Their client list includes former Love Island USA contestant Liv Walker and social media sensation Sasha Morpeth.

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Walker boasts more than 1 million followers on Instagram while Morpeth has more than 5 million followers on TikTok. Ponga, who has nearly 1 million followers across Instagram and TikTok, is the company’s first foray into the sporting field.

His bio on their website claims that the Knights skipper is known for his electrifying playmaking, leadership, and marketability.

“Off the field, Kalyn is recognised for his leadership and community involvement, earning accolades such as the Knights’ Community Player of the Year,” his bio continues.

“His authenticity, charisma, and professionalism make him a valuable ambassador for the sport – and a highly sought-after brand partner.

“He has collaborated on limited-edition product releases, custom gear drops, and brand campaigns that speak to his influence beyond the game.

“With a strong presence on social media, Kalyn connects with over 576k followers across Instagram and TikTok, offering brands authentic reach and high engagement across key demographics.”

Importantly for Knights fans, the bio states that he is contracted through the 2027 season in a pointer to him staying loyal amid constant conjecture about his future.

“With a contract extending through the 2027 season, Kalyn Ponga remains a cornerstone of the Newcastle Knights and a prominent figure in rugby league – both on and off the field,” it reads.

FOX LEAGUE STAR’S BABY JOY

One of Fox League’s busiest sideline reporters Eloise Sohier is expecting a baby with husband Anthony Gribble.

Sohier shared the news six months after the pair tied the knot. The baby is due around the start of the NRL season next year.

The pair are keeping the sex of the child a surprise. Sohier has been a constant on the sidelines this season and has not let her pregnancy stop her from an intense travel schedule. She was in Canberra last weekend and will be on the sideline for Melbourne’s clash against Cronulla on Friday night before backing up for the NRLW in Gosford the following day.

Sohier will also be part of the Big Bash League coverage during summer.

HUGHES’ SECRET WEAPON IN BID TO PLAY

Melbourne half Jahrome Hughes has enlisted a secret weapon in his bid to recover from a broken arm – a device that uses electromagnetic fields to fast-track healing.

Sport Confidential can reveal that Hughes has been using a bone stimulator to help knit the bones in his forearm back together after suffering the injury in the final round of the regular season against the Brisbane Broncos.

A bone stimulator is a medical device that promotes bone healing by applying low-level electrical, magnetic or ultrasound signals to the site of the fracture or surgery.

Hughes underwent surgery almost three weeks ago on the arm he broke attempting to tackle Brendan Piakura at Suncorp Stadium.

His surgeon – doctor Andrew Oppy – used extra strong plates and screws to help Hughes get back on the field before the end of the season.

Hughes himself left nothing to chance and teammate Cameron Munster hinted at the lengths his halves partner had gone to in an interview with Sport Confidential this week.

“I’m not too sure what gadget or machinery he was using, but you can tell he was keen on getting back and he was doing everything he could have done,” Munster said

“He always has this device on his forearm. It must have been radioactive or vibration or whatever it’s called to be able to get himself ready to go and try and strengthen that bone up.

“It’s obviously paid dividends for him and he’s confident enough to be able to go out there and do his job.”

FLASHBACK

One of the greatest moments in Australian sport took front page honours on this day 25 years ago. The country was celebrating Cathy Freeman’s amazing 400-metre race where she won gold in the race which literally stopped the nation.

D-DAY FOR REBEL RUGBY LEAGUE

A handful of NRL stars should know within days whether they have hit the jackpot with breakaway rugby union competition R360.

D-Day for the competition is due to arrive next week and organisers of the fledging concept remain bullish – co-founder Mike Tindall released a video recently in which he insisted the competition would go ahead as planned in October next year.

Melbourne pair Nelson Asofa-Solomona and Ryan Papenhuyzen have spoken to R360 along with South Sydney fullback Jye Gray and Parramatta winger Zac Lomax.

Warriors winger Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has also committed to join the competition when it begins.

The NRL has so far kept its power dry on the concept but club officials are keeping a close eye on developments given NRL players are on their radar and being tempted by the promise of mammoth pay packets.

BENJI REJECTED SHOCK TITANS MOVE

Benji Marshall has revealed he agreed to finish his NRL career on the Gold Coast before Wayne Bennett advised him to retire.

Marshall said he had spoken with the Titans and was set to join them on a two-year deal in 2022-23 which would have finished his decorated career. Instead Bennett intimidated his time on the field was done after the 2021 grand final with South Sydney.

Marshall had rejoined Bennett on a one-year deal and eventually played off the bench in the Rabbitohs’ grand final loss to Penrith.

“In 2021 I had meetings with the Gold Coast,” Marshall said on the MayDay podcast hosted by his Tigers prop Terrell May. “I actually agreed to go there for two more years. I didn’t sign but I told them I was keen to go there and I’d reach out I would go there.

“It wasn’t until after the grand final that I decided that was me done. I had to ring the Gold Coast to tell them I wasn’t coming. Wayne pretty much convinced me into retiring.

“I regret it a little bit I would’ve liked to have played another year. I felt like I had a little bit left.”

MORE SURGERY FOR MCINNES

Injured Cronulla skipper Cameron McInnes went under the knife again on Tuesday – this time to repair a neck injury.

McInnes had successful knee surgery a month ago to repair the damage which ended his 2025 campaign also needed an operation to his neck.

He picked up neck injury midway through this year and had been dealing with weakness and pain in his arm. The surgery was to have the nerve decompressed.

RUGBY LEAGUE MUSICAL ENCORE

Australia’s hardest-working sports satirist, Denis Carnahan, is to present Rugby League The Musical’s 2025 Season Review and Grand Final Preview for the ninth year.

Carnahan’s performance will include songs about; inflatable bats in hotels, crackdowns, backdowns, halfback merry-go-rounds, Bears, players leaving the worst club in the league, only to find themselves at the worst club in the league, coaching blow-ups, and the hottest

Details: The Bridge Hotel Rozelle from Saturday to Thursday. There is also a Final Wrap show at Vikings Sports Club, Dundas on October 11.

GRAND FINAL TRIPLE TREAT

The 2025 NSWRL Grand Final Day at CommBank Stadium on Sunday will be a triple-header.

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The day will start with the decider for the Jersey Flegg Cup between Melbourne Storm and Penrith Panthers, followed by Newcastle Knights and Cronulla Sharks in the Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Premiership.

The afternoon will conclude with the NSW Cup decider between St George Illawarra and the Warriors. There has been little between the two clubs this season with the Warriors scoring a 40-12 win in round seven, a 14-all draw in round 22 before the Dragons beat the Warriors 24-10 in the major semi-final.

Tickets are just $10 for adults and $5 for children or $25 for a family of four.

Originally published as Bulldogs star Viliame Kikau’s facial injury horror revealed | Sport Confidential