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Raiders centre out of World Cup after sparkling season
Sebastian Tan, AAP • September 16th, 2026 2:00 pm
Canberra star Simi Sasagi has had shoulder surgery and is out of the World Cup in a blow for Tonga | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Centre Simi Sasagi has heralded his choice to undergo shoulder surgery as one of the best decisions he's made, despite it depriving him of achieving a life-long dream.
Sasagi claimed Canberra's best and fairest award - the Mal Meninga Medal - on Tuesday night after a stellar season where he announced himself as one of the premier NRL centres.
Simi Sasagi won the Mal Meninga Medal for Canberra's best men's player in 2026 | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
But he collected the award with only one hand, as a big sling on his other arm held together his delicate shoulder.
The 25-year-old made the decision to go under the knife last week, although it wasn't easy as he was weighing up pushing through his injury to play in a star-studded Samoan side for the World Cup beginning next month.
He previously said featuring in the global showpiece event was his childhood dream, and his hopes of playing in the competition looked alive as he took the field for the Raiders for their final two games.
But the centre ultimately had to put his shoulder first.
"It was a pretty hard (decision) ... I wanted to play in the World Cup. It was obviously one of my goals," he said.
"Just to think how much this club's done for me, at some point I had to put them first. I wouldn't be here without them.
"I thought I'd regret my decision to get surgery and hold out for the World Cup, but that's the best decision I've ever made.
"I'm just grateful for this club ... I'm just trying to repay that."
Regardless of his dashed dream, Sasagi has plenty to celebrate after becoming the first player in five years to snare the Mal Meninga Medal from captain Joe Tapine.
Canberra entered the season full of promise following a hoodoo-busting minor premiership run that ended in a straight-sets exit from finals last year.
Leianne Tufuga was named the Raiders' best women's player | Photo: Dean Lewins/AAP
Although the side underperformed and finished 11th, Sasagi was a shining light as he scored seven tries, made 10 line breaks and posted an average of 175 run metres despite only playing in 16 of a possible 24 matches because of shoulder and hamstring injuries.
The 25-year-old was also emotional after Canberra threw him a career lifeline in 2024 following a stint with Newcastle.
"A couple of years ago, I didn't even know if I was going to play first grade for the next couple of years," he said.
"Obviously a lot of people around me, especially Stick (Ricky Stuart), put their confidence and faith in me to showcase what I can do."
Gun centre Leianne Tufuga took out the club's NRLW Mal Meninga Medal as she prepares for the Raiders' first finals game against the Wests Tigers on Friday night, while retired prop Josh Papali'i announced he will take a new role with the club from November.
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the NRL Finals - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
