Tom Learoyd-Lahrs knows more about being injured than most NRL players, but the NSW forward says the prospect of seeing Canberra teammate Terry Campese battle back from yet another knee reconstruction will be just as painful as anything he’s suffered.
Campese ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament for the second time in 12 months during the Raiders’ loss to Brisbane last Friday.
It was initially thought the five-eighth, who was in contention for a NSW recall for the State of Origin opener in Melbourne next month, had suffered a meniscus tear that would sideline him for four weeks.
However, scans on Monday revealed the damage was far more serious, ruling the 27-year-old out for the remainder of 2012.
Learoyd-Lahrs spent a large chunk of last year in rehab with Campese after tearing his bicep and has previously undergone shoulder and knee reconstructions, limiting him to less than 100 first grade appearances in a career that began with Brisbane in 2004.
And the giant forward, who will play for the Country Origin side against City on Sunday in Mudgee said he was stunned by the news of Campese’s latest setback.
“I only found out when I was in camp that he’d done his ACL’s again,” Learoyd-Lahrs told AAP.
“I couldn’t believe it when I heard as we all thought it was just a meniscus tear and he’d back in a month.
“I haven’t had the chance to ring him yet as I want to give him a bit of time to get over the news as I know he’ll be devastated. But I will speak to him before the weekend to see how he is.
“I’ve my fair share of injuries and know how mentally hard it is. But for him to miss another season is heartbreaking I really feel for him, it’s just so unfair.”
Learoyd-Lahrs is regarded as one of the hardest runners in the NRL and his talents have been rewarded with four appearances for NSW and the Kangaroos.
However, his biggest problem has been staying on the field and the 194cm 26-year-old, who can play in the front or back-row, is hopeful his body can hold up enough to help him reclaim his Blues jersey.
“I so desperately want to get back to Origin,” he said.
“I missed all of last year’s series and like all NSW fans I was a frustrated TV viewer.
“But touch wood, my body feels good this year. There are some great forwards playing on Sunday and it’s my chance to show that I am still good enough to be picked for my state.”
