Newcastle captain Danny Buderus has played his last game in the National Rugby League after scans confirmed the former Test star had suffered a serious biceps injury, requiring surgery and up to six months of rehabilitation.
Buderus was due to play his final match at EnergyAustralia against Melbourne on Saturday night, but will instead be confined to the stands as the Knights look to keep their finals hopes alive.
The veteran hooker will join English Super league club Leeds in 2009, bringing to an end a stellar Australian career that included 219 games for the Knights, 21 appearances for NSW and 24 Tests, including four as captain.
The 30-year-old also played in Newcastle's premiership-winning team in 2001 and was Dally M player of the year in 2004.
