Maika Sivo’s new challenge in the UK has been put on hold for a season before the former Parramatta Eels’ favourite has played a competitive match.
The Fijian injured his left knee in the first half of a weekend friendly for his new club Leeds Rhinos, and has been diagnosed with damage to the anterior cruciate ligament that will require surgery.
The 31-year-old signed a three-year contract with Leeds after leaving Parramatta at the end of last season and the injury is a huge blow to Brad Arthur, the former Eels coach who Sivo had linked up again with at Rhinos.
Our first thoughts are with Maika and we will all get round him and give him and his family our support,” said Arthur.
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“Our medical team will make sure he has the best possible treatment to come back from the injury as soon as possible. Maika is a strong character and I am sure he will throw himself into his recovery to get back to his best.”
Sivo was one of the big names brought in by the Rhinos as they bid to end a run of two straight seasons without securing a play-off berth.
He scored 104 tries in 115 appearances for Eels in the NRL.
© AAP