The former Australia Test captain, pictured above, suffered a ruptured bicep 10 minutes from the end of Knights' 38-24 win over North Queensland Cowboys two days ago.

Buderus – rated as one of the world's finest players – will undergo scans, but could be out of action for up to six months if he requires surgery.

Leeds boss Brian McClennan is waiting for full details of the injury, to the hooker's right arm, but said he is confident Buderus will play a full part for Rhinos next year.

McClennan said at worst, Buderus could miss the opening month, though he remains hopeful the player will be available for the start of the campaign.

"It doesn't affect us at all this year, he isn't a Rhinos player yet," McClennan said. "But we are all very sad for him. It just shows that there's nothing certain in sport, he has had some highs and this would be the biggest low for him. He has been at one club all his career and he's not going to get to play his last home game for them, it is very sad.

"But he will rise up, he is a champion. He will come over and be ready for next year."

Buderus – who scored the opening try just 48 seconds into Saturday's game – has played 220 times for Newcastle and is rated behind only Andrew Johns as the club's greatest player.

He is due to attend a farewell dinner on Wednesday and was set to play his final home game for the club against Melbourne Storm in five days' time.

The injury means he is ruled out of this autumn's World Cup.

Meanwhile, McClennan is predicting a storming finish to the season from back-rower Ali Lauitiiti.

Lauitiiti limped off late in Rhinos' record-breaking 52-16 win at Wigan on Friday night, but McClennan said: "He's fine, he cramped up.

"He played the first 40 minutes, which is a really good effort. I am really excited for Ali. He has worked really hard with our coaching staff and this is the best I have seen him looking in a while, physically.

"He has had some injuries, but he is going to get better and better the more time he gets, because of the commitment he shows off the field."

Meanwhile, Rhinos' reserves and under-18s both suffered costly defeats.

The reserves were beaten 38-16 at Wigan, despite tries by Ben Collins, Gareth Moore and Paul McShane, plus two Simon Brown goals.

And tries by Tim Scire, Brooke Broughton and Lewis Jones, plus two Jack Carvill goals, couldn't save the under-18s from a 30-16 loss to Huddersfield at Stanningley.