Former New Zealand captain Jarrod McCracken is suing the Melbourne Storm club and two of its players, saying they destroyed his career with a spear tackle.
McCracken injured his spine and neck when he was tackled during a National Rugby League game between his team, Wests Tigers, and the Melbourne Storm on May 12, 2000.
McCracken said the injuries ended his first grade rugby league career.
The hearing began on Monday in the NSW Supreme Court.
McCracken is suing Melbourne Storm and the players who tackled him, Stephen Kearney and Marcus Bai, for more than AUS$750,000 damages.
McCracken says the tackle was "intentional" and "done with intent to cause injury".
At the time of the incident, McCracken was on a two-year contract for the 2000 and 2001 seasons on a fee of AUS$300,000 a year.
"By reason of the injuries sustained in the subject tackle, the plaintiff was prevented from returning to playing professional rugby league football and his employer, Wests Tigers, terminated its playing contract with the plaintiff," according to his statement of claim, tendered to the court.
McCracken also said he would have continued his professional rugby league career, either in England or the NRL, if he had not been injured.
The loss of his career also caused McCracken to suffer from depression, the court was told.
The hearing continues on Tuesday.
