Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Dragons lose Stanley for NRL season

Updated at 6:24 am on 17 July 2012

St George Illawarra could be without Samoa international Kyle Stanley until halfway through next year's National Rugby League campaign, after scans confirmed the exciting utility had ruptured the ACL in his right knee.

Stanley will undergo a full knee reconstruction, continuing a worrying injury run that already includes two reconstructions to his left knee.

The 21-year-old was finally given a chance to impress in his favoured five-eighth position against Cronulla on Sunday after the late withdrawal of Jamie Soward with a back complaint, but lasted just six minutes before slumping to the turf in agony.

The injury can take up to nine months to fully recover from, though players generally take a full 12 months to get back on the paddock following a reconstruction.

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