Kiwi international and former Knight, Rooster and Panther Zane Tetevano, has suffered a stroke and is set to undergo heart surgery.
Currently playing for Leeds in the Super League, Tetevano, 32, collapsed at training several weeks ago but the club kept his condition a closely guarded secret.
Tests revealed the tough forward has a hole in the heart which caused the stroke will need to be surgically repaired.
READ MORE: The $1.8m insult that led to Luke Brooks rejection
READ MORE: Blues snub that ‘surprised’ Queensland greats
READ MORE: Golf star reveals biggest ‘betrayal’ in secretive deal
Tetevano hopes to play again after the surgery, but his condition must put a question mark over his immediate playing career.
In a prepared statement, the former Kiwi Test front-rower said, “Firstly, I would like to thank the club’s medical staff, the paramedics, doctors and nurses who looked after me when I collapsed.
“I knew I was in the best possible care and I owe them a lot, especially our medical team, who reacted so quickly on the field, I will never know how lucky I was.
Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now
“I am confident that I will be ready to return to action as soon as I am cleared to do so.”
Tetevano played over 150 NRL games – including the Roosters’ 2018 grand final win – before moving to Super League in 2021 with Leeds.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
The Mole’s round 15 Team of the Week: Maroons guns send ominous message
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
