Newcastle celebrations dampened by Green injury

Newcastle Knights enjoyed a third straight NRL win against North Queensland Cowboys but lost veteran Blake Green to a potentially career-threatening injury.

The Knights were 12-0 victors against the Cowboys, stringing together three consecutive successes for the first time this year, yet Green's blow dampened the celebrations.

The 33-year-old journeyman - playing just his third Newcastle game and only under contract until the end of 2020 - was feared to have suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

Five-eighth Green went down after just 18 minutes following a tackle from Jordan McLean and Justin O'Neill, and he left the field after failing in a bid to play on.

AOB on Green: He’s shattered. It’s looking (like ACL). I feel like crying with him. It’s carnage #NRL #UKNIGHTED
— Newcastle Knights (@NRLKnights) August 23, 2020

Newcastle at least made sure to claim the points and climb to sixth, as Enari Tuala's late try added to a score from Hymel Hunt that came just prior to Green's injury.

The earlier game saw New Zealand Warriors recover from a slow start to beat Canterbury Bulldogs 20-14.

The Warriors were 10-0 down midway through the first half and Canterbury added a third try just after the interval.

But Adam Pompey and Jack Murchie soon scored in quick succession to turn the game on its head and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck then crossed to seal victory.