Benn Robinson Ruled Out for the 2011 Season with Injury

[What2040]

Oh FatCat where are you??????????????????????????

 

[Groucho]

I went for about 2 years before getting my ACL in my right knee repaired. When I went to get it fixed they told me the ACL in my left had also gone. The left had been operated on previously (not the acl, but the medial), but nothing ever told me that I had done the ACL it it as well.

I am trying to say it is possible to still function quite well with a deficient ACL, depending on the circumstance. I, of course have not tried it in a test match scrum though.

I'm having a similar experience now. I have a grade 3 ATFL tear and after 4 weeks of mainly bed rest in a moon boot I'm walking normally and cycling. My doctor told me a grade 3 is actually friendlier than a grade 2 as there are no strings of ligament remaining to pull and potentially cause further damage. With correct strapping to hold the ankle together I could do running sports in a another week or so.

 

[cyclopath]

I, of course have not tried it in a test match scrum though.

A feature shared with some of the props we've seen...

 

[Ash]

I know some subbies guys who play with no ligaments in (one of each) of their knees at all. All are forwards, of course. They heavily strap them for training and games, and can't step off that leg at all - they just run straight.

Now, this is subbies, not test rugby. I am not a sports physician by any means, but I would be saying that any test player would be struggling without an ACL, however I guess the only players who might get away with it would be props/locks/big number 8s like Palu who only use the Maori side step. The bigger problem I think is that it would be more physical than subbies (like, at an infinitely higher level!), and they are more likely to get into a position where they could take a knock to the knee and do something really bad to the knee cap.

Cyclo should know!

 

[cyclopath]

"Normal" people can function quite well with no ACL. But high speed / energy pivoting, stepping and changing direction would be very hard. But build the stabilising muscles of the knee up to the max (mainly vastus medialis in the quadricep compartment) and it helps. Not being an orthopod, or sports medicine boffin, I cannot be entirely sure, but I doubt Test loosehead, and all it entails, would be realistic.

 

[rugbyfan]

What about bringing Kieran Longbottom into the mix? Plays both sides of the scrum, and offers alot of size and aggression to the side???

 

[qwerty51]

What about bringing Kieran Longbottom into the mix? Plays both sides of the scrum, and offers alot of size and aggression to the side???

I really thought he'd make the squad. He had a fantastic year, was certainly ahead of Cowan, Ma'afu, Daley in the scrummaging department imo.

 

[rugbyfan]

Would only consider bringing in Cowan and Longbottom as starters, we have seen what Ma'afu offers (not much) and Daleys performances in the Gold jersey haven't been to flash either. If we think about it, Ben Alexander is in for scrums, he does offer a nice running game, but equally as decent as LB and Cowan. Definately keep Kepu in, TBH, i would rather him in instead of Robinson, offers alot more to attack and defense

 

[jay-c]

injury not as bad as first thought> lets wait and see

 

[No4918]

Being reported this morning the knee is stable enough to begin rehab and he could be good for WC.

 

[Thomond78]

"Normal" people can function quite well with no ACL. But high speed / energy pivoting, stepping and changing direction would be very hard. But build the stabilising muscles of the knee up to the max (mainly vastus medialis in the quadricep compartment) and it helps. Not being an orthopod, or sports medicine boffin, I cannot be entirely sure, but I doubt Test loosehead, and all it entails, would be realistic.

Your inside leg as a loosehead unstable? Nope, not a runner. You'd destabilise the unit with your hooker and offer a lovely chink for the oppo TH to tear open.

 

[cyclopath]

Your inside leg as a loosehead unstable? Nope, not a runner. You'd destabilise the unit with your hooker and offer a lovely chink for the oppo TH to tear open.

Indeed, Thomo, I would have major doubts. Although the reports today suggest his knee is actually quite stable, and he will be given a month of rehab work to see if it can come good. Can't see it myself, but stranger things have happened.

 

[Gagger]

Yep, it was the Tahs doctor that certified it.

Just need to re-attach the lower leg with a bit of tape and it should be sweet

 

[cyclopath]

Yep, it was the Tahs doctor that certified it.

Just need to re-attach the lower leg with a bit of tape and it should be sweet

Have they still got a few rolls of Larkham-Tape in the kit bag? That stuff can hold ANYTHING together.

 

[Gagger]

Bernie most definitely used it all. Retired straight after

 

[fatprop]

Why not give it a go?

He is out for the season if he doesn't and may be OK for the RWC if he tries and succeeds and then can have the op afterwards.

No brainer really

 

[Jets]

I hope for the sake of the Wallaby scrum that he manages to play at the RWC.

 

[Richo]

Why not give it a go?

He is out for the season if he doesn't and may be OK for the RWC if he tries and succeeds and then can have the op afterwards.

No brainer really

Are there longer term health reasons for not doing so?

 

[DPK]

Last season we had Robbo coming back from injury and he was nowhere near as effective at scrumtime or around the park as his spectacular form of 2009.

 

[fatprop]

Are there longer term health reasons for not doing so?

I ain't no doctor, but isn't that his informed decision anyway, his knee needs a operation it is just whether it can be "managed" through the RWC or not.