Raiders hooker Levi to miss 8-10 weeks injured

Canberra hooker Danny Levi is out until at least round 12 after breaking his jaw early in the NRL win over Cronulla.

DANNY LEVI.
DANNY LEVI. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Canberra recruit Danny Levi has been ruled out for at least eight weeks after breaking his jaw in the side's first win of the season.

The hooker will not be back before round 12 and joins regular first-graders Jordan Rapana (suspension), Nick Cotric (hamstring) and Xavier Savage (jaw) in the casualty ward.

Levi suffered his injury in a tackle on Teig Wilton in the opening minute of the Raiders' 24-20 win at Canberra Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The hit left NRL officials searching the field for Levi's missing teeth at halftime.

Levi played the rest of the set before being replaced at hooker by Tom Starling. He will undergo surgery on Tuesday.

Canberra coach Ricky Stuart said the club's personnel troubles had made the win over the Sharks even sweeter.

"That's why you get excited about these types of wins, when you're troops down and these boys get their opportunity," he said.

"They jump up and they take it with both hands."

Canberra's State of Origin prop Josh Papalii returns to training this week and will line up against Newcastle on Sunday pending fitness tests.

"I'm really hopeful Papa is back," Stuart said.