NRL's horror injury list extended after Albert Hopoate ruled out after bizarre BBQ accident

The NRL has been rocked heading into round four with superstars such as Reece Walsh and Nathan Cleary set for a stint on the sidelines, but Raiders forward Albert Hopoate's injury has summed up the week for the code. The likes of Walsh, Cleary, Cameron Munster, and Payne Haas are all sidelined due to injuries on four weeks into the season.

And now, Hopoate is set to miss round four after a bizarre BBQ accident on the weekend. Hopoate was reportedly at teammate Corey Harawira-Naera's house on the weekend when a oil canister near the BBQ exploded, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

The incident left Hopoate with burns on his right arm. Hopoate asked coach Ricky Stuart if he could train on Monday, but was eventually advised to take time off to let the burns heal. The burns are serious enough that Hopoate has been ruled out of the Raiders' clash on the weekend against the Sharks.

Stuart told The Sydney Morning Herald they needed to let Hopoate rest before he returns to action. “The doc wants to make sure the burns properly recover. You don’t want to risk him getting any further infection. Albert was in today and wanted to train and do the session. Sometimes you need to pull players back and [protect] them from themselves," Stuart said.

"Albert’s a great bloke and a big part of our squad.” Hopoate's bizarre injury adds to a list of NRL players that have been ruled out for at least one week after a gruelling round three.

Cleary, Walsh, Mitchell Moses, Bryce Cartwright, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Scott Sorensen, Dale Finucane, Toby Rudolf, Royce Hunt, Brendan Piakura, Lindsay Collins, Sandon Smith, Taine Tuaupiki have all been ruled out.

Munster was another star to be involved in a bizarre injury having slipped in the shower, before the NRL season, to re-injure his groin. The Storm five-eighth is yet to play in 2024.

Nathan Cleary and Reece Walsh injuries rock NRL

The Panthers confirmed that Cleary sustained a hamstring injury against the Broncos last week and won't be named to take on the Roosters on Thursday night. Cleary has revealed he is a small chance to only miss one game, but it is more likely the Panthers will put him on ice until after their bye in round six.

Just two hours after the Cleary news was revealed, it also came to light that Moses had fractured his foot in the game against Manly. The Eels released a statement on Monday evening confirming that Moses is expected to miss up to eight weeks with the injury, which will put a serious dent in Parramatta's campaign.

It will also all but end his chances of retaining a Blues jersey for Game I in State of Origin. If recovery goes as expected, the Eels halfback will only have one game to impress upon his return to prove he can partner Cleary in the halves against the Maroons.

Broncos stars Walsh and Haas are also both out for 4-6 weeks with a facial fracture and knee injury respectively. Walsh exited the game against the reigning champions after Taylan May rushed up and collided with the fullback. Walsh was left with a facial fracture and will spend time on the sidelines. The Broncos are also down their enforcer Haas for a few weeks.