Luke Metcalf is helped off the field against Brisbane Broncos. Photo: Tertius Pickard/www.photosport.nz
NZ Warriors star Luke Metcalf is out for the rest of the NRL season, after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee against Brisbane Broncos last weekend.
Metcalf, 26, was cut in half by a perfect tackle from Broncos second-rower Brendan Piakura in the second half and had to be helped off the field.
Coach Andrew Webster was not optimistic about his prognosis after the game.
Subsequent scans have confirmed the worst - the same injury that also claimed co-captain Mitch Barnett last month.
Webster will now likely turn to either Te Maire Martin, who has played a interchange utility role this season, or newcomer Tanah Boyd, who has yet to make his debut for the Warriors.
After 69 first-grade games for Gold Coast titans, Boyd, 24, has waited for his chance at his new club, helping the reserves to top of the NSW Cup competition. Whether as a starter or off the bench, he will likely get his chance now.
Metcalf led the Dally M Medal standings halfway through the current season, when judging goes behind closed doors.
No player has maintained their halfway lead to the end of the season since 2017, when Melbourne Storm hooker Cam Smith took out the NRL Most Valuable Player crown.
Fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad will also miss the next month, with a mild lateral collateral ligament sprain in his left knee, after colliding awkwardly with Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki, as he scored on half-time.
He is due back for the Gold Coast Titans game on 26 July, and will likely be replaced by understudy Taine Tuaupiki.
Webster is also juggling players in the wing position, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sidelined 4-6 weeks with an ankle complaint.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
