NRL: Ropati latest to fall to ACL curse

Jerome Ropati is helped from the field after damaging his knee. Photo / Brett Phibbs

The gloom over the Warriors' season just got murkier.

Centre Jerome Ropati will miss the rest of the NRL campaign after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee in Sunday's third-round 25-12 defeat by St George Illawarra at Mt Smart Stadium.

The 26-year-old was left clutching his left knee after making a desperate tackle on his Kiwi teammate Jason Nightingale just before halftime.

Warriors team doctor John Mayhew said a scan yesterday had confirmed the worst possible outcome.

"Jerome has been reviewed by a surgeon [Stu Walsh] and will be operated on in one to two weeks, once his knee settles down," he said.

"His recovery period will be about six months, ruling him out for the rest of the season."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said everyone at the club felt for Ropati.

"It's devastating for Jerome. I just feel so sorry for him," he said. "Obviously it's a huge disappointment for all of us at the club."

Ropati, an 11-test international, was making his 130th appearance for the club in Sunday's match. He had been in outstanding form, named the players' player of the day after his two-try performance in the first-round encounter with Parramatta at Eden Park on March 12.

Ropati becomes the fourth Warriors player in four years hit by what are usually season-ending ACL injuries.

Fullback Wade McKinnon needed surgery after damaging his ACL in a trial against Newcastle in 2008. It was thought he would not play at all that season but he returned for the final few NRL games.

Centre Brent Tate was not so fortunate, injury ending his 2009 campaign just three rounds into the season.

Promising utility Elijah Taylor was also sidelined long-term after injuring his knee in a training session just before the opening trial of the 2010 season. He recovered in time to play the tailend of the Junior Warriors' NYC season, captaining the side in the grand final win against South Sydney.

Australian captain Darren Lockyer has announced he will retire from playing at the end of this season.

Lockyer said yesterday he felt the time was right to move on after his 17th season in first grade.

The Brisbane skipper, who turned 34 last week, has played 336 NRL games for Brisbane since his debut in 1995, helping the Broncos to four premierships. He has played a record 54 tests for Australia and 33 State of Origin matches for Queensland.

"I'm still enjoying playing and excited about the Broncos for the rest of 2011," said Lockyer in a club statement. "It will be hard to leave my teammates at the Broncos but I know the timing is right. I've had a wonderful career as a rugby league player and I just feel it's time to move on to the next chapter."

- NZPA