Former Panthers star Tyrone May was taken to hospital after suffering a dislocated hip during Samoa’s heavy loss to England in their world cup opener.
Trailing 18-6 early in the second half, May was tackled by England centre Kallum Watkins.
As the momentum of the tackle took them to ground, May’s right foot bit into the turf and the bodyweight of both men came down on it.
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Play was stopped for several minutes as medics stretchered May from the field, which was accompanied by a round of applause from fans.
It was a carnage filled day for Samoa, with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (syndesmosis) and Braden Hamlin-Uele (calf) also in doubt for the rest of the tournament.
Anthony Milford is also facing suspension after he was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle mid-way through the second half.
Coach Matt Parish said he couldn’t use injuries for his side’s disappointing performance.
“We have to be better than that today. Without doubt. We are not using it as an excuse for anything like that,” he said.
“We didn’t have a lot of luck injury wise but … we have to be a lot more resilient than we were.”
England scored six tries in the last 16 minutes of the match. Parish denied his side gave up.
“We had a man in the sin bin, a second-rower in the centre, one centre who was busted, so I definitely wouldn’t say that.”
Meanwhile, England were all smiles. Knights winger Dom Young scored two, as did Canberra’s Elliott Whitehead.
While Roosters playmaker Victor Radley didn’t cross the chalk himself in his England debut, he played 49 minutes and ran 138 metres. He also had three try assists.
The effort earned him man-of-the-match honours.
“I’m not sure how I got the man of the match. I’m a bit embarrassed but I’m really stoked, this was really enjoyable,” he said after the match.
England will next face France next Sunday morning (AEDT), while Samoa face Greece early Monday morning (AEDT).
In Sunday morning’s other game, the Kangaroos thumped Fiji 42-8.
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