Injuries have crippled both Penrith and Parramatta in the first 20 minutes of the 2019 NRL season, with Nathan Brown and Hame Sele both being forced off the field.
Sele was the first to go down, clutching at his arm and calling the trainer after a tackle on Parramatta fullback Clint Gutherson.
It is believed he has suffered a suspected broken arm and he has been ruled out for the remainder of the game.
Not much on video of Hame Sele injury, but early report from the sideline was a fractured forearm. If confirmed most require 4-8 weeks recovery #NRLPanthersEels
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 17, 2019
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Less than 60 seconds later, Brown halted play and was grimacing in pain after his arm overextended while he tried to bring down Panthers centre Dean Whare.
Sideline reports suggest Brown has suffered a torn pec and if surgery is required, the star forward is facing between 10-14 weeks on the sideline.
By video real concern for torn left pec for Nathan Brown. If confirmed will require surgery, but this is not a season ending injury. Most NRL players return in 10-14 weeks #NRLPanthersEels pic.twitter.com/YDe5n2QwNL
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) March 17, 2019
Under new rules, referees have been ordered to only halt the game if an injured player requires a doctor on the field or impedes play.
In Brown's case, the treatment was for a serious concern.
Before going down, the Eels lock was arguably best on ground, charging for a respectable 54 minutes in less than a quarter of the game.
Last year's wooden spooners Parramatta carried their from in the trials, where they dominated Penrith a fortnight ago, and capitalised on a one-sided 61 per cent of possession in the opening 35 minutes with tries to Marata Niukore and Michael Jennings.
Discipline proved costly for the Penrith, producing six errors without creating a chance in their opposition's red zone.
