The New Zealand Warriors breathed a sigh of relief today at the news their Kiwis prop Sam Rapira could be back in the National Rugby League (NRL) in six weeks.
Rapira was assisted off Mt Smart Stadium with what appeared a serious knee injury during yesterday's 26-24 win over South Sydney.
But fears he could be out for the season were alleviated after he underwent scans today.
"His ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) isn't torn as we thought it may have been," Warriors doctor John Mayhew said in a statement.
"Instead he has a dislocated patella. Surgery won't be required and with rehabilitation it's possible he could be back in six weeks."
There was also encouraging news around five-eighth James Maloney, who was forced off the field after only 24 minutes yesterday.
He was diagnosed with bad bruising to his back and was moving more freely today, with Mayhew rating him a chance of being fit to play against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Stadium in Sydney on Friday.
Meanwhile, coach Ivan Cleary said young prop Russell Packer had the goods to be a regular starter in coming weeks in Rapira's absence.
He had noted a change in Packer's approach over the past couple of weeks and that had translated in his two best performances of the season. He bulldozed over for one of the Warriors' five tries yesterday.
"He's going to become even more important for us now," Cleary said.
"He's still a 20-year-old kid but he's just shown a bit more maturity around the traps and it's obvious in his preparation."
Levin-born Packer already has 35 NRL matches to his name, having made his NRL debut at 18.
Cleary, who has now guided the Warriors to 52 victories, taking him one ahead of Daniel Anderson for the most wins by a coach of the Warriors, praised the effort and determination his undermanned side showed against the Rabbitohs as they clung ti a spot in the top-eight with a 5-5 record.
"It was tough," he said.
"You lose two guys and two key men as well with half the game to go. It puts a dent in our stocks."
One real positive was seeing skipper Simon Mannering, back after seven weeks out with a hamstring complaint, came through 80 minutes without any alarms.
There was also hope that Manu Vatuvei might be able to return to face the Tigers in what would be the giant winger's 100th NRL match.
"He's progressing well at the moment," Cleary said.
"We travel Thursday, so basically he has to be ready by Wednesday. It's a day-by-day thing. It would certainly be nice to have him there."
Injury has restricted Vatuvei to just five appearances, three of which didn't last the distance, including his last match, when he hobbled off against the Cowboys with a lower leg problem.
However, he is still the club's top try-scorer, having dotted down six times.
