Luckless Warriors Centre Rocco Berry Sidelined for Six Weeks with Another Shoulder Injury

Injury-plagued Warriors centre Rocco Berry is set to be sidelined for six weeks after dislocating his right shoulder against the Tigers. Berry will miss Sunday’s round 20 clash against the Knights in Newcastle and has been replaced by Kurt Capewell.

Rocco Berry, one of the most unlucky players in the NRL, is set for more long-term injury heartbreak. The Warriors centre dislocated his right shoulder late in the first half of the Warriors' 34-14 victory over the West Tigers on Sunday.

Berry’s latest setback, in a long line of injuries, is set to sideline him for six weeks, with the Warriors optimistic he will return in round 25, in time for the final three matches of the regular season.

Berry, 24, was playing in just his sixth NRL match of the season and only his 30th across the last three seasons when he dove on a loose ball and then copped a shot in the back from Jarome Luai that resulted in his shoulder popping out of the joint.

A complex brachial plexus injury to the same shoulder ruled Berry out of the final three months of the 2024 season and the beginning of the current season. When he did return, he was struck down by a hamstring injury that saw him miss more game time and was also hit with a one-game ban, served against the Broncos, for a high tackle.

The Tigers' match was his first at Auckland’s MT Smart Stadium this season. Former Kiwis star, turned commentator, Richie Barnett, couldn’t hide his disappointment for the luckless Berry as he left the field after 32 minutes.

“I feel so sorry for him,” Barnett said on the SKY Sport commentary. “It's just a sad story. He's huge with his defensive qualities, his ability to score tries. It's a huge loss for the Warriors.”

For Sunday’s match against the Knights in Newcastle, Warriors coach Andrew Webster has called on State of Origin winner Kurt Capewell to replace Berry. Capewell was rested for the Tigers clash, just four days after he helped Queensland secure the series victory. It is the only change Webster has made to his side that defeated the Tigers.

To offset Berry’s injury woes, Ali Leiataua was back from an ankle injury in the New South Wales Cup on Sunday and has been included on Webster’s extended reserves bench. Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is listed as returning from his knee injury in next week's round 21 clash against the bottom of the table Titans, while star players Mitch Barnett and Luke Metcalf won't be back until next season.

Newcastle will be desperate for a win at home against the Warriors after losing their last two games, amid speculation that their coach, Adam O'Brien, is about to be sacked and constant rumours linking injured captain Kalyn Ponga to a rugby union switch.

Knights v Warriors
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Sunday, 6.05pm (NZT)

Knights: Dane Gagai, Dominic Young, Fletcher Hunt, Bradman Best, Greg Marzhew, Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger; Jacob Saifiti, Jayden Brailey, Leo Thompson, Brodie Jones, Kai Pearce-Paul, Phoenix Crossland. Interchange: Tyson Gamble, Mat Croker, Tyson Frizell, Jermaine McEwen. Reserves: Thomas Cant, James Schiller, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Jack Hetherington, Kyle McCarthy.

Warriors: Taine Tuaupiki, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Adam Pompey, Kurt Capewell, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Tanah Boyd; James Fisher-Harris, Wayde Egan, Jackson Ford, Leka Halasima, Marata Niukore, Erin Clark. Interchange: Te Maire Martin, Jacob Laban, Demitric Vaimauga, Tanner Stowers-Smith. Reserves: Samuel Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Bunty Afoa, Ali Leiataua, Kayliss Fatialofa.

As the Warriors continue to face a wave of injuries, Berry’s latest setback adds to the growing list of challenges the team must overcome. His potential is undeniable, but his injuries have made it difficult for him to make an impact on the field. With the regular season entering its final stretch, the Warriors will need to rely on depth and resilience to push forward without their key players.