The New Zealand Warriors are riding high on the NRL ladder after their 45-26 victory against the Rabbitohs on Saturday night.
However, they have been hit with more difficult news as another key backline player faces injury.
On Newstalk ZB Weekend Sport, Warriors coach Andrew Webster announced that winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak has a broken collarbone and is set for surgery on Monday.
With the finals looming just three weeks away, it remains uncertain when Watene-Zelezniak will return, as the Warriors aim for their first-ever NRL premiership.
Watene-Zelezniak is the latest casualty in a long list of injuries for the Warriors in 2026, joining Tanah Boyd (ACL), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (ACL), Jackson Ford (pectoral), and Luke Metcalf (hamstring) on the sidelines.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is also out due to suspension, but Te Maire Martin (hamstring) might return for the Round 26 match against the Knights.