McInnes to miss start of NRL season

The Cronulla debut for Cameron McInnes has been delayed by at least a couple of weeks after the prized NRL recruit underwent minor knee surgery this week.

The Sharks on Thursday confirmed the tough lock will aim to return in round three having suffered a training setback to the same knee in which he ruptured his ACL last February.

While the former St George Illawarra captain hasn't played since September 2020, his new Cronulla teammates have credited him with helping to set standards through his professionalism and work ethic.

Despite the absence of McInnes, Sharks fans have reason to be excited about Monday's final trial against Canterbury at PointsBet Stadium with fellow off-season acquisitions Nicho Hynes and Dale Finucane set to play.

McInnes had been slated to wear the No.13 jersey under coach Craig Fitzgibbon, a role Finucane could now assume instead of starting at prop when Cronulla's NRL season kicks off on March 11 in Canberra.