Scans taken in Auckland on Saturday have confirmed that North Queensland Toyota Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee during the NRL Auckland Nines match against Manly.
Coote will take no further part in the Nines tournament and will be sidelined for a minimum of six months.
He will undergo surgery when the Cowboys return to Australia and Anthony Mitchell will come into the Nines squad as his replacement today.
“Obviously this is very disappointing news for Lachlan and the Cowboys, especially when we were all looking forward to his first season with us,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said.
“Lachlan will receive the best possible treatment and we’ll look forward to welcoming him back on to the field once his rehabilitation is complete.
“He’s a talented young footballer who still has many seasons ahead of him.
“We believe we have a talented group of players ready to fill the fullback role this year and this opens up an opportunity for one of them for round one against Canberra.”
