New Zealand Warriors hooker Thomas Leuluai needs season-ending surgery after scans today confirmed he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee early in Saturday's 10th-round NRL clash against Parramatta.
The 29-year-old veteran was helped off the field just 23 minutes into the encounter after the Warriors had alsolost the equally experienced Ryan Hoffman with concussion in just the third minute.
Leuluai is the third Warriors player to have his campaign ended by an ACL injury, joining Ben Henry and Ngani Laumape who have both had knee reconstruction operations. The Warriors also lost three players with ACL injuries in 2013 - Henry, Sione Lousi and Steve Rapira.
Hoffman, who wasn't able to return to the field on Saturday, is following concussions protocols.
Manu Vatuvei (sternum) and Sam Tomkins (knee) are both on target to play in the Warriors' next match against Newcastle at Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday, May 31.
A total of seven outside backs were unavailable for last weekend's round - Vatuvei, Tomkins, Laumape, Konrad Hurrell (suspended), David Fusitu'a (groin), Glen Fisiiahi (knee) and Matt Allwood (ankle).
Along with Vatuvei and Tomkins, Fisiiahi and Fusitu'a are also possibilities to be available for round 12 following this week's bye.
