Dane Sorensen may be forced to retire

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 68

Dane Sorensen may be forced to retire

By

JOHN COFFEY

Dane Sorensen, a New Zealand front-row , forward in 18 test matches, might have to retire from all rugby league because of a serious knee injury. When Sorensen recently informed the Kiwi coach, Graham Lowe, that he would not be available for the TransTasman Cup series against Australia, he expressed fears for his future in the sport. Now Sorensen, who has been inactive since he aggravated a problem with his right knee while playing for his Sydney club, Cronulla-Suther-land, against St George on April 20, has been told by a specialist that he should quit. Two arthroscope operations have not rectified the Injury and Sorensen told the Australian magazine, “Rugby

League Week,” that he probably had no chance of resuming this season and was no more than hopeful of coming back next year. Although he had to withdraw from the 1985 tests against Australia, Sorensen attributes the injury to the subsequent

tour to Britain and France. Sorensen said he tore a cartilage in the first British test at Headingley, played on, and worsened the problem. Aged 30, Sorensen made his test debut at the Show Grounds in a World Cup game in 1975, kicking six goals in a 270 defeat of France in atrocious conditions. He joined Cronulla two years later and has given the club outstanding service each year apart from 1984, when Sorensen and his brother, Kurt, briefly linked up with Eastern Suburbs. Dane Sorensen appeared infrequently for his country until international laws were amended in 1982 to release players contracted to overseas clubs. His sturdy running from the play-the-balls, high defensive work-rate and professional outlook will be sorely missed by the Kiwis.