Ryan James faces fight to keep NRL career alive after third ACL injury
Gold Coast Titans skipper Ryan James looks set to miss the entire 2020 NRL season after re-injuring his ACL, which could even threaten to end the 29-year-old’s NRL career.
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Gold Coast Titans captain Ryan James has spoken of his devastation at suffering a season-ending knee injury as he braces for a fight to play in the NRL again.
James is expected to miss the entire 2020 NRL season after a training collision on Friday ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
James suffered a similar injury to the same knee in Round 6 last year and missed the remainder of the 2019 season.
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His last appearance in the NRL was on April 21 last year and the earliest he could return to the top level would be March, 2021, if he is ruled out for the season.
James turns 29 in July and at full fitness he could play at least another few seasons in the top grade.
But there are genuine fears a third major knee operation could present a giant hurdle for the Titans’ incumbent skipper to overcome.
James is also off-contract this year and will not get a chance to present his case for a new deal, leaving the Titans in a difficult situation with their longest-serving player.
A devastated James said he was struggling to come to terms with his latest setback.
“It is obviously pretty devastating, after all that hard work, time away from the team and time off the field to be back to square one again,” he said.
“I was looking forward to playing again and being part of a good year with the Titans after a really good off-season. Now I will be missing that as well.
“It was more a shock than anything. I had been really cautious and deliberate with every part of the rehab, and I was really happy with how it had responded.
“I was at the stage where I was not even thinking about the knee anymore at training. It was moving freely and I felt really confident in it. It just felt back to normal.
“When it happened, there was a bit of pain, but not the same as the last time it went. It felt different, so I was hopeful it might have been a different issue. But the scans came back with the worst news.
“I will be back to see the specialists on Monday for more scans and to discuss what my options are from here. Once we find out what needs to be done, I can get to work again.”
A local junior, James is one of the club’s most popular players, having debuted for the Titans in 2010 and captaining the franchise since 2017.
His absence this season will leave a huge hole in the Titans’ forward stocks on the back of the club collecting last year’s wooden spoon.
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook said the Titans would support James in whatever he chooses to do.
“Anyone who has met Ryan knows him to be one of the nicest, most humble men in our game and I was looking forward to him playing a big part in our team this season,” Holbrook said.
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“Ryan will now play a key role with us off the field as he will still add value to our team and our club.
“Once he gets the latest advice from his specialists on Monday, we will get an idea of what is involved for Ryan’s journey ahead and we will support him through it.”
James underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee in 2011 and missed most of the 2014 season because of shoulder issues.
James got his career back on track from 2015 and scored a record 12 tries playing in the front row during a stellar 2016 season, the Titans’ last NRL finals appearance.
He was on the cusp of NSW Origin selection in 2017-18 before having last season crushed by an ACL rupture against the Knights at Cbus Super Stadium.
A father of two, James has completed a business degree and recently started his master of business administration, ensuring he is well prepared for life after football.
ENDS
Originally published as Ryan James faces fight to keep NRL career alive after third ACL injury