Canberra has been hit with a brutal injury blow just a fortnight into the NRL season.
Star hooker Josh Hodgson won’t play again this year, after injuring his knee in round one.
While the ligament injury was only fairly minor, the Raiders revealed “instability in his knee” has since been discovered, and he will undergo surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament.
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Hodgson, 32, had his 2020 season ended prematurely by a ruptured ACL injury. Before that he was considered arguably the best hooker in the NRL behind only Cameron Smith.
He also captained the Raiders before a falling out with coach Ricky Stuart last season, when he surrendered the leadership role.
“Josh’s knee injury sustained in round one was a minor injury, however his return to training has since uncovered some instability in his knee which appears to have caused his current injury,” Raiders doctor Greg Macleod said.
“After further scans and diagnosis, the decision has been made that it’s the club’s duty of care to Josh for him to have an ACL reconstruction due to a partial tear in his ACL and associated injuries.
“Whilst the club and Josh were optimistic that the injury could be rehabbed without surgery, it is with much considered thought that surgery is the best option for Josh’s long-term health and rugby league career.”
The injury brings an end to Hodgson’s career at the Raiders, as he will depart at season’s end. He has signed a two-year deal with Parramatta from next season.
The Englishman played 138 games in the lime green since arriving in 2015. He was instrumental in their 2019 grand final run, which they lost to the Roosters.
“It’s certainly not the way I wanted to finish up at Canberra. After a disappointing year last year, it was probably the best I’ve felt this year in terms of my body, and I was feeling really fit and really fresh after a good pre-season with no internationals and no rehab,” Hodgson said.
“To do it in such a minor way and sustain such a big injury is really frustrating.
“I’ve really found a home away from home here in Canberra and I absolutely love the place. It means as much to me as my hometown club and I’ll be forever grateful to call myself Raider number 325.
“I’m gutted to go out like this, but I’ll be doing everything I can to support the boys before I leave at the end of the year.”
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