Maligned Ex-Rooster Out Of Retirement

Former Roosters premiership-winning prop and Kiwi/Cook Islands international Zane Tetevano has returned to footy after a very short retirement. The 33-year-old suffered a stroke while training with English club Leeds last year and required surgery to repair a hole in his heart. He signed with the Bulldogs for 2024 but struggled to make the grade and told the club he was retiring. However, the former Knights, Roosters and Panthers forward has the itch again and will play out the year with Wyong in the Newcastle competition. Tetevano was on a small contract at the Bulldogs and the club won't be replacing him this year.

Ex-Rooster's terrifying health ordeal after collapse

Kiwi international and former Knight, Rooster and Panther Zane Tetevano, has suffered a stroke and is set to undergo heart surgery.Currently playing for Leeds in the Super League, Tetevano, 32, collapsed at training several weeks ago but the club kept his condition a closely guarded secret.Tests revealed the tough forward has a hole in the heart which caused the stroke will need to be surgically repaired.Tetevano hopes to play again after the surgery, but his condition must put a question mark over his immediate playing career.In a prepared statement, the former Kiwi Test front-rower said, "Firstly, I would like to thank the club's medical staff, the paramedics, doctors and nurses who looked after me when I collapsed."I knew I was in the best possible care and I owe them a lot, especially our medical team, who reacted so quickly on the field, I will never know how lucky I was."I am confident that I will be ready to return to action as soon as I am cleared to do so."Tetevano played over 150 NRL games - including the Roosters' 2018 grand final win - before moving to Super League in 2021 with Leeds.