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Key meeting likely to decide future of Canberra forward​

A medical episode in May has since sidelined the 28-year-old.


A key meeting early into the new year could decide the playing future of Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera.

The Raiders second-rower was taken off the field in a Round 13 encounter with South Sydney this year after suffering a seizure during the match, with the cause of the medical episode not known.

The 28-year-old has not played since, with Harawira-Naera and the Raiders working through a number of tests and meetings to determine the forward's health and potential return to play.

Canberra had expressed some level of confidence in Harawira-Naera pulling the boots back on in 2024, however the club recently moved to lodge for salary cap relief given the uncertainty of the New Zealand international's future.

Harawira-Naera is contracted until the end of the 2025 season on a deal worth approximately $1.2 million.

According to News Corp, Harawira-Naera is likely to learn his playing fate in January as a decisive meeting to determine his health and future looms.

GettyImages-1263116838.jpg
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 01: Corey Harawira-Naera of the Raiders looks on during the round 12 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Canberra Raiders at QCB Stadium on August 01, 2020 in Townsville, Australia.

The Raiders have already begun planning for the outcome that sees the Auckland-born back-rower ineligible to add to his 123 NRL career matches.

It is understood that Harawira-Naera will be offered a role with the Raiders in an off-field capacity if he isn't allowed to return next season.

Harawira-Naera played nine games under Ricky Stuart this year, starting at lock and the second-row in six matches.

He started his career with Penrith in 2017 and played 46 games for the Panthers before moving to Canterbury, where he made 21 appearances for the Bulldogs in just one season with the club.

Harawira-Naera made the move to the nation's capital ahead of the 2020 season and has since played 56 games for the Raiders, winning 55 per cent of his games in green while recording nine tries and over 1,200 tackles.
 

Corey Harawira-Naera set to retire over seizure, according to Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart

The Raiders are all but resigned to the fact that star forward Corey Harawira-Naera will have to retire.

The Kiwi Test forward hasn't played since suffering a seizure on the field in Round 13 against South Sydney.

It was expected that the club would assess Harawira-Naera's future in the new year, but coach Ricky Stuart has told Wide World of Sports that officials are not optimistic.

"It is really sad for the kid… it's a tragedy actually," Stuart said.

"The medical reports we are getting is that he is very unlikely to play again.

"At 28, that's tough and he has been good for us.

"But we are supporting him and looking for a pathway for him after football.

"We would like to keep him in the game and in the club."

The Raiders are investigating the possibility of salary cap relief given the uncertainty of Harawira-Naera's future.

While some clubs have been denied cap relief for retiring players, the Raiders are likely to be successful given Harawira-Naera's dramatic collapse on the field and long absence since then.
 

Sounds like it’s not a full conclusion that CHN career is over, are raiders trying to get a medical retirement?

I mean, the bloke had a seizure on field right? I'm guessing if it was a pre-existing condition that information would have come out pretty early. Sounds like their blaming it on a previous concussion potentially.
So with that I mind surely a medical retirement is on the cards?
 

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