Ryan Matterson, a forward with the Parramatta Eels, has been selected to play this weekend despite a reported broken rib.
The Sydney Morning Herald had earlier on Tuesday stated that Matterson’s damaged ribs would require him to miss three to four weeks of action.
Though they may still need a win or two in the last month of the season, Parramatta is out of the running for the wooden spoon and have no reason to have named Matterson if he needed to play through pain for this weekend’s match against the Sydney Roosters. However, interim coach Trent Barrett has done just that.
Matterson, whose contract with the Blue and Gold expires in 2024, has been linked to leaving the team in recent times. Despite this, he has been selected to play at lock for the match against the Roosters.
If the forward is injured, Joe Ofahengaue will probably take his place in the center third of the field, with Matt Doorey or Makahesi Makatoa being the most likely candidates to come off the bench.
However, Matterson’s condition was not disclosed by the Eels when they announced their roster, and it is now unclear exactly what, if any, problem Matterson is experiencing with his ribs.
