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The prop suffered an injury setback in the Super League Grand Final.

Wigan Warriors prop Ethan Havard is set to miss the start of the Super League season following his unsuccessful return from injury in the Grand Final. The forward suffered a reoccurrence of a hamstring injury at Old Trafford within ten minutes of entering the field during the club's victory over Catalans Dragons.

It was Havard's first appearance in more than three months after undergoing surgery on the same hamstring, but he quickly signalled to the bench following a collision in the game and was quickly withdrawn. Head coach Matt Peet has now confirmed that the 23-year-old has undergone surgery, which is expected to keep him off the field until April.

"It was a risk we took and we're paying the price a little bit with that now," Peet told Rugby League Live. We'll have to be ultra-safe with him now and get him fitter and stronger than ever. For now, he's had a small operation and he'll miss the start of the season.

"I hope that in years to come he will be glad he and we made that decision. He was informed of the risks too and we knew what the risks were. He's hobbling around on crutches now and it's not a good place to be, is it? But he'll come back better than ever."

Havard is one of several players to undergo post-season surgery, with Jake Wardle, Abbas Miski and Junior Nsembah all undergoing maintenance procedures that have seen them start pre-season in rehab. They have joined Liam Byrne and Mike Cooper on the road to recovery after reporting back for duty.

Meanwhile, Tyler Dupree, Liam Farrell and Harry Smith, who has been nominated for the Golden Boot, have been given additional time off due to their involvement in England's Test series victory over Tonga. That has left the Warriors with less than twenty players currently in full training for the start of pre-season but their new signings, including Luke Thompson and Kruise Leeming, have been involved.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... n-28196065

Bad news going into the new season without our best prop. It was a risk that will have been calculated for the GF but unfortunately it didn't pay off. Gutted for him at the time and moreso now we see how bad it was.

Bad news for Ethan and the club. A very good players.
Pity there's no return dates or approx dates given for the other currently injured players.

Ethan Havard has 'no regrets' over Grand Final risks as England forward details road to recovery

Despite looking set to miss the start of next season due to the fresh hamstring injury suffered during the Grand Final, Ethan Havard admits he has no regrets taking the risks to play at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old returned from a lengthy lay-off to feature against Catalans Dragons in Super League’s showcase event, having suffered an initial hamstring injury against Wakefield in July.

He featured from the bench but after just 10 minutes was forced to leave the action in the first half, revealing for the first time that he suffered a Grade 4 hamstring blow.

The Warriors secured their sixth Super League title with a 10-2 score at the Theatre of Dreams, with the World Club Challenge now confirmed against NRL champions Penrith Panthers next February.

“I don’t regret it one bit,” Havard said.

I appreciate the faith Matty [Peet] put in me to play and go out there. I knew it was a risk, but it’s given me even more hunger to get back there.

I was happy for the lads that they got the job done, but it was quite an empty feeling for me, seeing my family upset after the few months that had led up to it and working hard every day.

“Obviously it’s a great achievement for everyone involved, I’ve got a ring myself now but it’s motivation to do it better next time.”

Harvard has since undergone surgery on the injury and has detailed his long road to recovery.

“The operation went well,” he continued.

I got off my crutches this week and I’ll be working hard on the rehab everyday with the physios.

“It’s probably going to be a bit of a longer recovery this time, but I’m looking forward to getting it right and then kicking on in the season.

“Pre-season will look completely different for me.

“It’s one about getting back walking properly which I’m doing a bit better now, and then I’ll progress into more advanced rehab and then running.

“I’ve got to get it right, I don’t want it to happen again.

I can’t see me starting the season, I’ve not really got an idea in my head when I’ll be back.

“It won’t be late into the season, but I’m taking it week-by-week and I’m listening to my body and the physios and I want to get it stronger than it was.”

The England prop is taking the time away from the field to work extra sessions in the gym with fellow injured team-mates, including back-rower Junior Nsemba, while he has already seized the opportunity to learn from some of the new recruits, including fellow international Luke Thompson.

"I’m doing a lot of gym with Junior. We’re both working hard and it’s nice to have someone in the gym with you,” he said.

You can still be learning and watching video and stuff like that, learning about different aspects of the game and learning how to be more professional and be more prepared.

"I also spoke to Luke Thompson who has just come in and it’s nice to get new ideas from different people who come in, which is always good as you always gain from it.”

https://www.wigantoday.net/sport/rugby- ... ry-4430069

Ethan is due back in March.

Really hope the lad has a cracking season.

Good to hear it's not projected to be too far into the season. We should have plenty cover until he's back anyway particularly now Coops is expecting to be back for the start of the season. Byrne, Thompson, Dupree, Cooper & Mago with backup from Eseh, Chan and Hill is a strong rotation. No need to rush him back.

*I'm assuming Ellis will start at loose.

Not too bad i suppose, just hope we bring him back in gently

Pre-season injury update

Matt Peet has provided an injury update as the Warriors continue their pre-season preparations, in partnership with Shock Doctor.

Peet: “We are pleased with how the lads are progressing as there is determination about the group to work hard and improve.”

The head coach has positive updates on a number of players.

Matt Peet has provided a Shock Doctor pre-season injury update as the Warriors continue to build fitness in preparation for the 2024 season.

The hard work continues in week five of pre-season for the Warriors, who on Tuesday completed an open training session in front of almost 2,000 supporters at the Club’s annual ‘Night Under The Lights’ – in association with The Brick – event at Robin Park Arena.

The group have also completed sessions out on the field, in the gym, on the wrestle mats, as well as hills runs as fitness continues to build.

Providing an update on the squad, Peet said: “We are pleased with how the lads are progressing as there is determination about the group to work hard and improve. The intensity has been high and we will look to go to another level in the New Year.”

Peet has confirmed that Mike Cooper is set to be available for the start of the 2024 Betfred Super League season.

Cooper, who had his ACL reconstructed six months ago after suffering an injury in the Warriors’ Good Friday victory over St Helens, has undergone a lengthy rehabilitation process which has seen the prop forward visit St George’s Park for more specialised strength and biomechanical testing sessions.

Speaking on Cooper, who is working hard behind the scenes alongside the team at Robin Park Arena, Peet said: “Mike went down to St George’s Park for another round of tests to see his progress and he was ticking all the markers. His training is on track and his attitude has been exceptional since day one.”

Peet has also confirmed that Jake Wardle, Liam Byrne and Abbas Miski will be available for the start of the season as the trio continue to recover from respective injuries.

Wardle, who received the Harry Sunderland award in the Warriors’ Grand Final victory against Catalans Dragons, underwent a clean-up of his knee in the off-season, whilst Liam Byrne continues his recovery from a hamstring injury which ruled the forward out of the final four matches of the campaign.

Miski, who suffered an MCL injury in the Grand Final, has since returned to Robin Park Arena to begin rehabilitation after undergoing a clean-up on his knee this month.

The Warriors will be without Ethan Havard for the start of the new Super League season as the prop forward continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained in the Grand Final, however, Peet is hopeful that Junior Nsemba will be ready by the end of February after he underwent a meniscal repair during the off-season.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2023/12/ ... ry-update/

Really glad those 4 will be available for the start of the season - especially Cooper