Drew Mitchell out of the World Cup

[Swarley]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/rugby-gold/mitchells-world-cup-cut-short/story-fn8ouw0e-1226155001171

THE World Cup of unlucky winger Drew Mitchell is over after he tore his left hamstring against Russia in Nelson today to ruin the joy of two earlier tries.

Mitchell was a picture of despair as he pulled up lame and clutching his leg just after the 50 minute mark when swooping on a loose ball.

The NSW Waratahs flyer had his sights set on reaching the try-line for a hat-trick. Instead, he was helped to the sideline bench with an injury that gives him no realistic hope of being part of next weekend's sudden-death quarter-final or a potential semi-final on the October 15-16 weekend.

It is the cruellest of outcomes for Mitchell who was one of the most uplifting stories of this World Cup squad when he won selection after recovering from a badly dislocated ankle in April that looked to have killed that dream.

The Wallabies were doing it easily at 47-5 at half-time after a clinical start. Powerful flanker David Pocock was most impressive in his comeback 40-minutes after two games off with a back strain.

Poor bugger. At least Ioane should return next week. Will this mean Robbie will finally call some players over, or will McCabe take the #22? He'd be a good candidate, being familiar with the gameplan and being able to cover 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 with great ability.

If he is replaced, who'll come into the squad? Turner, Giteau, Tapuai?

 

[Slim 293]

I don't think he needs anymore inside backs, and surely McCabe will cover every position bar the halves on the bench.

 

[#1?]

Billy Slater will be free now.

 

[Swarley]

A great thing about our backline is the versatility. We should never find ourselves in a position in which players are playing in a position they've never played in before.
Quade and Berrick can both play 10, 12 and 15 at a stretch.
Ashley-Cooper is either first or second-choice for every position from 11-15.
McCabe can fill 11-15 easily as well.
Ioane can fill in at 13 if required
O'Connor can play all back-three positions as well as 10 and 12.

Media is saying McCabe's back next week, is that true or just wishful thinking?

 

[mark_s]

Was it the same leg that had the broken ankle earlier in the year?

 

[Richo]

Media is saying McCabe's back next week, is that true or just wishful thinking?

Back to dislocate his shoulder again? I'm no doctor, but I'd imagine that playing two weeks after an injury like that is not a good idea.

 

[waratahjesus]

Shattered for Drew, over the last few years he has become a fantastic leader to ad to his fantastic form and this year after an absolutely magical start has just been horrendous. His commitment and desire to get back for the world cup was amazing and I'm sure he will do it all again to get back on the pitch next year.

He deserves some luck poor guy.

 

[Braveheart81]

Horrendous luck for Shmoo. He looked so good prior to the injury.

I'd bring over Turner as he's the only outside back with any experience, play McCabe off the bench and play this backline in the quarter final:

Genia, Cooper, Ioane, Barnes, AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper), JOC (James O'Connor), Beale
21. Burgess 22. McCabe

 

[DPK]

Fuck that shit.

 

[tranquility]

Turner has to be boarding soon surely, hopefully on the same flight as Beau.

 

[Bullrush]

A great thing about our backline is the versatility. We should never find ourselves in a position in which players are playing in a position they've never played in before.
Quade and Berrick can both play 10, 12 and 15 at a stretch.
Ashley-Cooper is either first or second-choice for every position from 11-15.
McCabe can fill 11-15 easily as well.
Ioane can fill in at 13 if required
O'Connor can play all back-three positions as well as 10 and 12.

Media is saying McCabe's back next week, is that true or just wishful thinking?

Having played in a position at some level previously is completely different from having to play there in a RWC knock-out game. Just ask Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson or Leon MacDonald.....

 

[Ruggo]

I would be calling for a cool and experienced head. Mortlock would be my choice.

 

[Swarley]

Having played in a position at some level previously is completely different from having to play there in a RWC knock-out game. Just ask Christian Cullen, Jeff Wilson or Leon MacDonald.....

Most of those players have played those positions for either the Wallabies or consistently at S14/15 level. I said Ioane could fill in at 13, if required, I didn't say he was a great outside. He has played a full season there for the Reds though, in addition to the entire 2009 Spring Tour. Same deal with O'Connor at 10/12, he could fill in but he wouldn't be great. Quade's basically been playing a Fly-Half/Fullback combination all year for both club and country, and Barnes could slot in if things were desperate. Otherwise, most players have a fair bit of experience in other positions.

 

[Slim 293]

I would be calling for a cool and experienced head. Mortlock would be my choice.

Or we could being in Larkham or Latham?

 

[wikman]

Feel sorry for the guy. But hopefully he gets these injuries out of the way now for a big few years for the Wallabies. His injury was almost jinxed, as on foxsports moments before his injury they were saying it will be a selection headache to fit Drew, JOC (James O'Connor) and Digby in the team as they are all on form.
For the QF against SA you would have to go with what Braveheart81 backline as all players are on form and have beaten SA in last 4 or 5 tests.
Lachie Turner is the only logical replacement as he was on form in S15 along with Drew for the Waratahs. Although Davies offers more in offence his defence is not up to scratch, and Lachie is a much more solid and safe player which is needed in knockout finals.

 

[Victorian Reds Fan]

Feel sorry for the guy. But hopefully he gets these injuries out of the way now for a big few years for the Wallabies. His injury was almost jinxed, as on foxsports moments before his injury they were saying it will be a selection headache to fit Drew, JOC (James O'Connor) and Digby in the team as they are all on form.
For the QF against SA you would have to go with what Braveheart81 backline as all players are on form and have beaten SA in last 4 or 5 tests.
Lachie Turner is the only logical replacement as he was on form in S15 along with Drew for the Waratahs. Although Davies offers more in offence his defence is not up to scratch, and Lachie is a much more solid and safe player which is needed in knockout finals.

Not really. Struggled for much of the Super 15 season.

 

[tigerland12]

Yeah I think Turner is the most logical choice given we are entering the finals stage. He's been in the wallaby set up for a while and is a pretty safe bet.

Morahan and Davies are a little too in-experienced to be brought over this late.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

I would be calling for a cool and experienced head. Mortlock would be my choice.

He can get a discounted fare because of his age:wont happen as he was never even in the 40, I dont think.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

It is surely no coincidence that 2 blokes who had been out long term with serious leg injuries have strained/torn hammies at this tournament: too much work put into them in too short a time? It used to be a common injury with top flight players but in the last 15 years has become much rarer.

 

[MrTimms]

That is what he said on our podcast, with all the muscle wastage while injured it is tough to get the tone and strength back into the legs.

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