Injury signals end for retiring Payne

Updated September 13, 2012 13:10:17

Aaron Payne's NRL career has finished on a sour note after a knee injury ruled him out of North Queensland's semi-final against Manly at Sydney Football Stadium.

Payne suffered a cartilage tear in his knee in last Saturday's 33-16 win over Brisbane and the Cowboys announced Thursday it was a season-ending injury.

The 29-year-old had already declared 2012 would be his final season.

He will be replaced by James Segeyaro for Friday night's sudden-death match, with Anthony Mitchell to join the interchange bench as a utility.

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810

First posted September 13, 2012 13:10:17

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Payne a doubtful starter for Cowboys

Updated September 11, 2012 15:25:47

North Queensland coach Neil Henry admits retiring hooker Aaron Payne is in "some doubt" for Friday night's elimination NRL semi-final against Manly in Sydney.

Hopes for a remarkable recovery from a knee injury were raised when the Cowboys stalwart featured in a 19-strong squad set to fly out for Sydney on Thursday.

However, Henry said a final verdict on Payne's fitness could be made by Wednesday.

Payne limped off the field in the 11th minute of the Cowboys' 33-16 NRL elimination final win over the Broncos in Townsville last weekend amid fears he had played his last game for North Queensland.

"He was much better the day after the game but we will know much more when he sees a specialist and a ball session tomorrow," Henry said on Tuesday.

"It is still quite sore but it is not as bad as it was so he is walking around.

"We put his name in there but you would have to say he is in some doubt."

James Segeyaro - who has made a remarkable return from what was initially deemed a season-ending ankle complaint - will slot in at No.9 with utility Anthony Mitchell as back-up hooker if Payne succumbs.

Henry on Tuesday added Mitchell and back-rower Joel Riethmuller to the 17 that knocked the Broncos out of the finals race in Townsville last Saturday night.

"It's a credit to him, he is playing good footy," Henry said of Segeyaro.

"Anthony was unlucky to miss out, he didn't do anything wrong.

"But he will get his opportunity if Payney is not right."

Henry dismissed concerns surrounding co-captain Matt Scott and in-form backrower Gavin Cooper (both shoulder).

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-league, townsville-4810, qld, manly-2095, nsw, australia

First posted September 11, 2012 13:17:00

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Payne survives, but all over for Petero

Updated September 09, 2012 15:34:16

The curtain has been drawn on Petero Civoniceva's glittering career but North Queensland is hopeful Aaron Payne has not played his last match for the Cowboys.

Both appeared to have played their final matches in Townsville on Saturday night, despite the Cowboys keeping their title hopes alive with a Matt Bowen-inspired 33-16 win over Brisbane.

A sombre Broncos wondered aloud how they would "fill the void" left by a retiring Civoniceva after the five-tries-to-three win drew the curtain on the veteran prop's time at the top.

In contrast, Cowboys coach Neil Henry was all smiles after Bowen celebrated match number 250 by helping his side book a Friday night showdown with defending premiers Manly at Sydney Football Stadium.

But Henry initially looked glum when Payne's shock 11th-minute departure with a knee injury was raised.

Scans on Monday will reveal the injury's full extent but the Cowboys remain hopeful that Payne's gutsy effort to stay in the defensive line despite being in agony was not the retiring hooker's last on-field sighting.

"Aaron Payne's knee has pulled up better than expected. He will have a precautionary scan early in the week," Henry said.

"It was a funny injury. He sort of jammed up his knee.

"But he had to fill in (in the defensive line). We couldn't do much about it, we just couldn't get him off.

"He hung in and filled in the gaps for a couple of tackles - it was a gutsy performance, that was for sure."

At full-time all eyes were on Civoniceva, 36, after he reluctantly called time on a 15-season, 309-match NRL career in front of a crowd of 21,307.

Ben Te'o (South Sydney) and Gerard Beale (St George Illawarra) will join him out the door but Broncos skipper Sam Thaiday admits Civoniceva will be the toughest one to replace.

"For him to still be playing at 36 - I don't know his real Fijian age, he might be older - but he's done a lot not just for the Broncos and the Panthers but the game of rugby league," he said.

"He leave will a gap in our team but I am really happy and impressed with the blokes coming through.

"Josh McGuire, Dunamis Lui, David Hala ... I am sure they will be ready to put their hand up in the off season to fill the gap Petero has left but he will be missed."

AAP

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, townsville-4810

First posted September 09, 2012 15:24:34

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Payne charged with careless high tackle

Updated June 04, 2012 16:36:56

Bulldogs forward Corey Payne is the only player facing suspension after a light weekend for the NRL judiciary.

Payne was charged with a grade two careless high tackle after his first-half hit on South Sydney's Jason Clark in Canterbury's 23-18 win over the Rabbitohs on Saturday night.

The incident carries a week on the sidelines but with an early guilty plea Payne can escape without a ban.

Tags: nrl, rugby-league, sport, canterbury-2193, nsw, australia

First posted June 04, 2012 16:36:56

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Interview: Aaron Payne

Published:Friday, June 10, 2011 12:55 AESTExpires:Thursday, September 8, 2011 12:55 AEST

North Queensland hooker Aaron Payne told Grandstand's Zane Bojack the Cowboys are under no illusions to how difficult a task it will be to beat Manly at Brookvale Oval on Saturday night.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia

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Interview: Aaron Payne

Published:Saturday, May 14, 2011 10:44 AESTExpires:Friday, August 12, 2011 10:44 AEST

Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne tells Grandstand his side's come-from-behind win over the Eels is evidence of how the club has changed its attitude in 2011.

Tags: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia, nsw, parramatta-2150, qld, townsville-4810

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Hayne, Payne get amongst it

 Published:Friday, April 15, 2011 10:16 AEST

Eels full-back Jarryd Hayne fights with Bulldogs forward Corey Payne after he was tackled high during the round six NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Canterbury Bulldogs at the Olympic stadium on April 15, 2011.

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