Newcastle Knights hooker Danny Buderus to miss opening rounds of 2013 NRL season Newcastle hooker Danny Buderus will miss the opening rounds of the 2013 NRL season after undergoing back surgery. Danny Buderus will miss the opening games of the 2013 season. Picture: Liam Driver NEWCASTLE hooker Danny Buderus will miss the opening rounds of the 2013 NRL season after undergoing back surgery. The former Australia and NSW No.9 went under the knife today after battling the problem during pre-season training. Buderus will commence rehabilitation at the end of February and a club statement said he won't be fit for Newcastle's first few NRL games. "Danny has had a great pre-season so it is obviously disappointing for him to have surgery now," Knights Performance Director Jeremy Hickmans said. With the surgery done, he will rest for the next four weeks and then be in rehab for about four weeks. While it means we will be without Danny for the early rounds, we all look forward to getting him back fresh to take on the rest of the season. The 34-year-old Buderus missed out on a probable Blues Origin spot last year due to an achilles injury but still managed to play 22 games for his beloved Knights last season. The injury has curtailed the 2001 premiership winner's preparation for what is his 14th and perhaps final season with the Knights. Newcastle begin their NRL campaign against Wests Tigers at Hunter Stadium on March 11.