South Sydney rising star Dayne Jennings has been ruled out for the rest of the season after a gruesome leg wound became infected, forcing him to undergo multiple operations.
The 18-year-old suffered the injury during the Rabbitohs' 26-24 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium in Round 19 on July 12. Jennings was tracking back in defence when Dominic Young's boots accidentally caught his leg, leaving a deep cut stretching from his thigh across his knee.
The laceration required 35 stitches, but Jennings' condition worsened after the wound became infected. He spent more than a week in hospital and underwent several surgical procedures to clean and close the injury.
Bennett gives injury update
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett said Jennings had since returned to the club but remained unable to run. Bennett said he did not think fans would see much of Jennings before the season's end, calling it a pretty serious injury.
NRL Physio said the location of the wound, passing over the knee, had complicated Jennings' recovery, adding that adding an infection on top of such a nasty cut was brutal luck and wishing him the best.
Fans call for stud ban
Graphic photographs of the laceration stunned rugby league supporters after they appeared online. Some fans questioned how a football boot could cause such a deep wound, with many calling for metal studs to be banned in the NRL.
One supporter asked who had the sharp studs on their boots, calling it a nasty gash. Another said they still could not believe metal studs are legal, while a third asked who had the razor blade on the field. Another fan compared the wound to a shark bite, and one more called for metal boots to be banned.
There is no evidence that any player used illegal footwear or deliberately caused the injury, and the contact was described as accidental. Metal studs are not banned in the NRL. Players are permitted to wear metal screw-in studs provided they meet safety requirements, including rounded edges and a tip at least 8mm in diameter. Referees can order players to change their boots if the studs are damaged or considered dangerous before or during a match.
A rapid rise cut short
The setback ended a rapid first-grade rise for Jennings, who progressed from South Sydney's SG Ball Cup side into the NRL. The Terrigal Sharkies junior made his official debut against Parramatta in Round 17 after previously being named the club's 18th man, and scored his first NRL try against reigning premiers Penrith the following round.
Jennings played three first-grade matches in his rookie campaign, recording one try, two line breaks and nine tackle breaks. He was replaced by Jye Gray after leaving the field against Newcastle, and Gray later scored South Sydney's final try as the Rabbitohs held off a late Knights comeback.
Jennings is now facing an extended recovery, with Bennett's update leaving little prospect of the teenager returning before the end of the season.
