AUSTRALIA captain Darren Lockyer has been ruled out of Friday's Centenary Test against New Zealand with a knee injury.
The Brisbane five-eighth received the bad news after the Australian team medical in Sydney, but he admitted he knew early in Saturday night's NRL match against Wests Tigers that he was in serious strife.
The Broncos ace has struggled since making his return from a full knee reconstruction in round one, and after spending a few weeks on the sidelines last month he looks set for another extended period out of the game.
My knee hasn't pulled up too good from last night's game, in fact it was pretty ordinary right through (Saturday) night's game, Lockyer said.
The advice I'm getting from the medical staff here and the advice I'm getting from the Broncos back home was that we'll look to go and get a scope done on the knee so I'll again be out for an indefinite period.
Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart confirmed Greg Bird would move from lock to five-eighth with Melbourne backrower Michael Crocker coming into the 17-man squad, though there was no decision yet on who would start in the No.13 jumper.
Stuart applauded Lockyer for making what he called a brave decision.
It is a massive blow but more importantly it's the best decision for Darren Lockyer, Stuart said. "It's a very early part of the season.
