Australia's netball World Cup defence has suffered a major blow with star midcourter Madi Robinson set to miss the August tournament in Sydney after rupturing an ACL.
Robinson, Australia's 2014 player of the year, is to undergo a knee reconstruction and will be sidelined until 2016 after scans revealed theextent of her injury suffered in the Melbourne Vixens' ANZ Championship loss to leaders West Coast Fever in Perth on Monday.
Robinson has notched 44 Tests for Australia since her 2010 debut and was a key member of the gold-medal winning team at the Commonwealth Games last year.
The 27-year-old Victorian has won Australian netball's highest individual award twice, claiming the Liz Ellis Diamond in 2014 and 2012.
The bad news comes just a week before national coach Lisa Alexander names her squad for the World Cup.
"I'm remaining really positive and strong at the moment," said Robinson in a Netball Australia statement. "I know what I have to do with my recovery and having the support of my husband, family, teammates and the public will help me push through my rehab and help me get back stronger than ever."
