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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Retiring Luck to return to Cowboys

Updated August 22, 2012 09:20:17

Retiring Warriors back rower Micheal Luck will join the Cowboys next season in an off-field role.

Luck linked up with the Warriors in 2006, having spent five years with North Queensland, and he will retire at the end of the season with over 200 first grade appearances to his name.

The 30-year-old, who finished his schooling in Townsville, will take over as Cowboys football operations manager next season.

Luck's departure follows the sacking of Warriors coach Brian McLennan, who was relieved of his duty on Tuesday.

Tony Iro will guide the club for the remaining two rounds of the competition.

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

First posted August 22, 2012 09:14:53

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