Karl Oloapu has had NRL football handed to him and then viciously taken away, all while still in his teens.
The Canterbury playmaker, who made seven first-grade appearances after debuting last year, has been ruled out for the whole 2024 season following neck surgery. There were fears that the setback might finish Oloapu’s career after Canterbury obtained two medical opinions indicating that he feared catastrophic harm if he did not retire immediately.
However, a third opinion from the specialist who performed the surgery, renowned St Vincent’s Hospital spinal surgeon Associate Professor Mark Winder, has renewed optimism that the 19-year-old would make an unexpected comeback.
“I got ruled out for this year,” Oloapu remarked during the Multicultural Round kickoff in Parramatta on Tuesday. “I have started my rehabilitation. I started running on the field about two weeks ago, and I’m grateful about it. I’m just hoping to get back in 2025.”
Oloapu is still coming to grips with his situation. The Wellington product recognized something was wrong in pre-season when he noticed “things happening to my body that haven’t happened before,” including a “tingling” sensation.
“I had a disc in my neck that was a bit fragile,” he told me. “I ended up removing everything, and they placed a cage in there to keep everything stable.
“It was absolutely shocking. But, with my faith and all that, I feel that everything happens for a purpose. I believe it is just another challenge that God has given me to overcome. I believe that is all part of the journey and the game.”
It’s uncertain where that voyage will lead. The Bulldogs continue to pay Oloapu’s contract, which does not expire until the end of 2026, while also supporting with his medical and emotional recuperation. Oloapu remains hopeful that he will be able to return and realize his undeniable potential.
“When you have a family that supports you and is always there for you, nothing really scares you even though at times it does,” he went on to say. “When I found out what my damage was, I became afraid. I’m confident that everything will work out in the end.
“My current focus is on getting my body in shape, losing a few pounds, and allowing my neck to heal. I’m not trying to rush anything; just be sensible.”
Several stars have assisted Oloapu during his ordeal. Roosters icon Anthony Minichiello organized Winder’s initial appointment and remained interested throughout his recuperation, while injured Canterbury teammate Ryan Sutton has been a buddy in the rehab ward.
“It was a big shock for me, people were saying that I was going to retire,” he told reporters. “I think my focus right now is just to come back from it, not to prove people wrong but to prove myself right.”When asked about the possibility of his injury not recovering sufficiently to allow him to play again, Oloapu responded, “That’s just out of my control, to think about the future right now.
“My goal is to return in 2025, so I’m focusing on staying present.” Nobody wants such an injury to happen to you. I think it’s a blessing in disguise, learning about eating and increasing resilience while meeting new individuals along the route.
“I’m being really grateful for, you could say, a second chance at playing this game.”
Oloapu’s resilience has impressed Sutton, who hopes to recover from knee surgery in May.
“Karl is my son at the moment,” Sutton said. “Me and Karl have a strong link right now because I’ve been in a scenario where you’re injured when you’re young, which is extremely difficult.
“He’s always asking the physios when he can come back. That demonstrates a lot of character from a young boy who wants to return to the game, and kudos to him.
“As a young kid, it’s natural to become homesick away from family and lose interest in sports. But for a young kid to do what he’s doing and battle to come back is fantastic, and he’s received some very excellent news.
“I feel like as a young child, he’s 19 years old, he has a long life ahead of him, and he could use this year to really advance himself physically and psychologically. He demonstrated his abilities in those early games last year, and he played a couple at the age of 18. “The world is his oyster.”
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