ID :
209288
Sun, 09/25/2011 - 14:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/209288
The shortlink copeid
D-Day for Deans as Wallabies face medicals
(AAP)- Monday is D-day for Wallabies selectors, with several players facing medical checks that could rule some out for the rest of the Rugby World Cup.
Centre Rob Horne remains the greatest concern after fracturing a cheekbone in the opening tackle of Friday night's bruising 67-5 win over the USA, while No.8 Wycliff Palu will also have an MRI scan to determine the extent of his hamstring strain.
Horne and Palu will travel from Australia's temporary base at Hanmer Springs to Christchurch for specialist treatment, as will lock Dan Vickerman for a routine leg check following a stress fracture sustained earlier in the year.
"We won't be any better informed until tomorrow. At that point it gets serious in terms of where to from here," coach Robbie Deans said on Sunday.
"Cliffy's got a good range of movement, which is a good start. But obviously his strength will be down.
"With those injuries, you let them settle for 48 hours and then you push on and it becomes clear fairly quickly how grave it is."
With several other players feeling worse for wear and carrying niggles, Deans has given his wounded charges two days off training, but is confident the injury toll isn't as dire as first feared.
Pat McCabe will likely remain for the duration of the tournament after recovering steadily from a shoulder dislocation and fellow centre Anthony Faingaa is faring well following his bout of concussion.
Along with Horne, Palu and winger Digby Ioane (thumb), McCabe and possibly Faingaa will still be unavailable to play Russia in Nelson on Saturday.
But Deans said things were nevertheless looking up for the bulk of his injured stars.
"We are confident with Pat McCabe," he said.
"But within reason. He has to continue with the progress he has made over the first 24-48 hours."
Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper and five-eighth Quade Cooper are both recovering from minor ankle injuries, while fullback Kurtley Beale (hamstring) and winger Drew Mitchell (back) are fine after reporting tightness following the USA game.
Deans said David Pocock had also improved sufficiently to be considered for selection, but that it was unlikely the Wallabies would rush the star flanker back until he was 100 per cent fit after being sidelined for two matches with a lower-back injury.
"He's just run and run well," Deans said.
Goalkicking winger James O'Connor is expected to return this week from his low-grade hamstring strain after also running on Sunday.
It was feared the Wallabies would struggle to field a injury-free backline against Russia, but Deans now at least has choice and may only need to reshuffle the deck for what really should be a cake walk at Trafalgar Park.
"It's about the fit blokes. History doesn't record who played. It simply records the outcome and there's 22 lucky blokes who get the chance to play," Deans said, refusing to use injuries as any excuse.
The Wallabies, enjoying some down time at their alpine town base north of Christchurch, won't return to training until Tuesday, by when Deans and company will have decided whether or not to call for reinforcements from Australia.
Centre Rob Horne remains the greatest concern after fracturing a cheekbone in the opening tackle of Friday night's bruising 67-5 win over the USA, while No.8 Wycliff Palu will also have an MRI scan to determine the extent of his hamstring strain.
Horne and Palu will travel from Australia's temporary base at Hanmer Springs to Christchurch for specialist treatment, as will lock Dan Vickerman for a routine leg check following a stress fracture sustained earlier in the year.
"We won't be any better informed until tomorrow. At that point it gets serious in terms of where to from here," coach Robbie Deans said on Sunday.
"Cliffy's got a good range of movement, which is a good start. But obviously his strength will be down.
"With those injuries, you let them settle for 48 hours and then you push on and it becomes clear fairly quickly how grave it is."
With several other players feeling worse for wear and carrying niggles, Deans has given his wounded charges two days off training, but is confident the injury toll isn't as dire as first feared.
Pat McCabe will likely remain for the duration of the tournament after recovering steadily from a shoulder dislocation and fellow centre Anthony Faingaa is faring well following his bout of concussion.
Along with Horne, Palu and winger Digby Ioane (thumb), McCabe and possibly Faingaa will still be unavailable to play Russia in Nelson on Saturday.
But Deans said things were nevertheless looking up for the bulk of his injured stars.
"We are confident with Pat McCabe," he said.
"But within reason. He has to continue with the progress he has made over the first 24-48 hours."
Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper and five-eighth Quade Cooper are both recovering from minor ankle injuries, while fullback Kurtley Beale (hamstring) and winger Drew Mitchell (back) are fine after reporting tightness following the USA game.
Deans said David Pocock had also improved sufficiently to be considered for selection, but that it was unlikely the Wallabies would rush the star flanker back until he was 100 per cent fit after being sidelined for two matches with a lower-back injury.
"He's just run and run well," Deans said.
Goalkicking winger James O'Connor is expected to return this week from his low-grade hamstring strain after also running on Sunday.
It was feared the Wallabies would struggle to field a injury-free backline against Russia, but Deans now at least has choice and may only need to reshuffle the deck for what really should be a cake walk at Trafalgar Park.
"It's about the fit blokes. History doesn't record who played. It simply records the outcome and there's 22 lucky blokes who get the chance to play," Deans said, refusing to use injuries as any excuse.
The Wallabies, enjoying some down time at their alpine town base north of Christchurch, won't return to training until Tuesday, by when Deans and company will have decided whether or not to call for reinforcements from Australia.
