The Wests Tigers will start the 2016 NRL premiership without their two top choice hookers, with both Robbie Farah and Matt Ballin to miss the first month or more of the season due to injury.

Farah injured his knee during the recent trial match against the Cronulla Sharks and scans have shown he has a cartilage tear which will see him miss four to six weeks of football.

Ballin is still recovering from an ACL injury he suffered last season playing for the Manly Sea Eagles and is unlikely to make his Wests Tigers debut before Round 10.

Wests Tigers Injury Report

Bayley Sironen (foot) — Round 1-2

Dene Halatau (knee) — Round 2

Joel Edwards (hamstring) — Round 1-2

Justin Hunt (back) — TBC

Robbie Farah (knee) — Round 4-6

Matt Ballin (knee) — Round 10 approx.

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