Cowboys centre Tautau Moga suffers career threatening third ACL tear

THE Cowboys will seek the advice of former Maroons star Brent Tate to help shattered centre Tautau Moga fight back from the third knee reconstruction of his career.

Cowboys Tautau Moga in action during NRL match Penrith Panthers v Nth Qld Cowboys at Penrith. pic. Phil Hillyard

THE Cowboys will seek the advice of former Maroons star Brent Tate to help shattered centre Tautau Moga fight back from the third knee reconstruction of his brief NRL career.

Moga, 21, has snapped the ACL in his right knee three times, sparking grave concerns over his playing future.

The 108kg hulk who was once labelled the next Israel Folau, had hoped to appear in Friday night’s Broncos-Cowboys derby, only for scans to confirm a fresh ACL tear after he injured his knee playing for Samoa in the Pacific Test a fortnight ago.

Moga’s career is on the brink after another serious knee injury.

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Cowboys officials visited Moga in hospital on Thursday, but while his dreams of a maiden premiership ring have been shattered, North Queensland’s primary concern is Moga’s mental wellbeing as he confronts another gruelling rehabilitation.

The rampaging three-quarter is contracted to the Cowboys until the end of next season and coach Paul Green pledged to do everything possible to save his career.

“It’s pretty tragic news for Tau,” Green said.

“He’s only just gotten out of hospital. He had the operation [Wednesday] so we will just play it by ear for now.

“In the short term, it is just about him getting over that operation.

“The way the rehab is and the resources that (NRL) clubs have available to them, it (Moga playing again) is certainly not out of the question by any stretch.

“He’s still a young guy so he has time on his side.’’

Tate shapes as a key figure in Moga’s fightback. The Test and Origin winger joined former Manly lock Nik Kosef as the only NRL stars to have four knee reconstructions when his knee collapsed during Origin II last season.

Now working for the Cowboys in an ambassadorial capacity, Tate played for Queensland after his third ACL tear and is sure to play an advisory role for Moga.

Moga had been tipped for a big future.

“Tautau is going through a tough time. It’s terrible news,” Cowboys football manager Peter Parr said.

“This is the second time we’ve had a bloke rupture an ACL playing representative footy. Last year it was Brent Tate, now Tau has done it playing for Samoa.

“At the moment, whether he plays again we don’t know. Our primary concern is Tau himself but it’s going to very difficult to come back from three knee reconstructions.’’

Moga had his 14-game stint at the Roosters punctuated by two ACL tears in 2012-13. The Ipswich junior had found his niche at the Cowboys, playing 17 games after his mid-season arrival last year.

Broncos conditioner Jeremy Hickmans saids medical advancements had made it easier for players to come back from knee reconstructions.

“The surgical procedures are more advanced and sports science has come a long way in 10 years,” he said.

“It’s no longer the long-term career ending injury it once was if it’s a straightforward ACL tear.

“It depends on the damage but guys these days can be back playing in six months.’’