Canterbury Bulldogs' marquee signing Leo Thompson has been ruled out for ten weeks after suffering a serious calf injury, which he sustained while participating in a camp for the Maori All Stars. Initially, the injury was thought to be a minor case of calf tightness, but further scans revealed it to be a grade three tear. This injury comes as a significant setback for the Bulldogs, who had high hopes for Thompson following his big-money transfer from Newcastle over the summer.

The timing of this injury could not be worse for Canterbury, as they prepare for their season opener against St George Illawarra in Las Vegas. Thompson’s absence not only affects their immediate game plan but also puts additional pressure on the team's remaining front-rowers. With the NRL season about to kick off, losing a player of Thompson's caliber is a substantial blow that could impact the Bulldogs' early season performance.

As Thompson recovers, the Bulldogs will need to strategize on how to compensate for his absence. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the team adapts to this significant loss and how it influences their games in the first two months of the NRL season. The club hopes that Thompson's recovery will progress swiftly and that he can contribute significantly once he returns to the lineup, but the immediate focus will now shift to other players stepping up in his absence.