Warriors fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's season is over after scans today confirmed he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during Saturday's win over the Bulldogs in Wellington.
Tuivasa-Sheck twisted his left knee awkwardly in a tackle in the ninth minute of the game at Westpac Stadium, but had the leg strapped and tried to play on before it buckled under him on his next attempted carry.
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He is scheduled to undergo surgery in three weeks and faces a lengthy recovery and will also miss the Kiwis upcoming transtasman test against the Kangaroos at Newcastle on May 6.
With the Warriors preparing for next Monday's Anzac Day clash against the Storm in Melbourne, Tui Lolohea looms as the likely replacement for the former Sydney Roosters premiership winner.
Having been promoted to five-eighth for the Westpac Stadium clash, Lolohea enjoyed just 15 minutes in the role before reverting to fullback to cover Tuivasa-Sheck's absence.
He was a stand-out performer at the back and scored a vital try to help the Warriors regain the lead over Canterbury in the 50th minute, while veteran utility Thomas Leuluai came off the bench to fill in at five-eighth.
"Roger is absolutely shattered and so is everyone around the club," said Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden.
"We had huge expectations about what he would bring to us this season and he was so excited about the role he had to play. He had settled in well developing his combinations and timing but now this. It's the cruel side of football - we've certainly had more than our share of bad luck.
"Roger will have surgery in about three weeks and faces a long recovery but we'll make sure he has plenty of support and care around him."