LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The NRL has been hit hard with injuries heading into round four, with big names like Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary sidelined.
But the latest blow for the code comes from Raiders forward Albert Hopoate, who is now set to miss the upcoming round after a bizarre BBQ mishap.
Hopoate was at teammate Corey Harawira-Naera's place over the weekend when an oil canister near the BBQ exploded, leaving him with burns on his arm.
Coach Ricky Stuart had to intervene and advise him to take time off to allow the burns to heal properly, ruling him out of the Raiders' weekend clash against the Sharks.
Stuart emphasized the importance of letting Hopoate rest and recover before making a return to action, highlighting the need to protect players from themselves in such situations.
As the NRL injury list continues to grow, the code faces yet another challenge to overcome this season.