Newcastle coach Wayne Bennett insists the decorated career of Danny Buderus isn’t over despite news that the Knights hooker will be forced to undergo further surgery on his troublesome back.
Buderus will likely go under the knife again on Sunday after the former NSW and Australian representative had to pull out of the Knights’ match against Penrith on Saturday at Hunter Stadium.
It was the second week in a row Buderus has had to withdraw on the morning of a match because of back spasms.
Buderus underwent back surgery in January and has only played two games this year.
Bennett said Buderus will miss the next six to eight weeks of NRL action.
“I think he may be in the hospital right now trying to get some pain relief, so he is not good. They will probably operate tomorrow,” Bennett told reporters after Newcastle’s 8-6 win over Penrith at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
But Bennett said the surgery wouldn’t mean the end of Buderus’ career.
“He wouldn’t be doing it if he couldn’t come back,” he said.
“It’s purely his decision – it’s what he wants.
“He doesn’t want to retire now and I respect that with him so, if he wants to go through the rehab, I’m happy to wait for him for another six to eight weeks.”
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