Palu gone for the season

[Spook]

Cruciate ligament and the medial ligament :'(

 

[James Buchanan]

It looked like something along those lines.

 

[Ruggo]

I think Rocky has potential to be a good Wallaby 8. Not good news about Palu though.

 

[fatprop]

Tahs set to lose Palu for season with injury
RUPERT GUINNESS
April 11, 2010

CHRISTCHURCH: Waratahs back-rower Wycliff Palu is likely to miss the rest of the season and undergo a knee operation after being injured in last night's Super 14 blockbuster against the Crusaders.

Palu, who on Friday announced he had re-signed with the NSW and Australian rugby unions for two years, hurt his knee in the 61st minute of the Waratahs' 20-13 loss to the Crusaders, which saw them drop from first place on the ladder to third.

He was injured when he fell awkwardly in a tackle near the sideline when the Waratahs were still 13-12 up. But as soon as he went down, his grimace and tight hold of his right knee indicated it was serious.

Waratahs medico Dr Sharron Flahive rushed to his side and after several minutes assisted him off the field for a diagnosis but coach Chris Hickey last night indicated Palu's season was over and he would probably need a knee reconstruction.

If confirmed, Palu - who last night left AMI Stadium on crutches - would also miss the entire Wallabies season and face a period of rehabilitation that would extend into Waratahs pre-season training next year.

''We have still got to confirm the initial diagnosis, but Sharron feels pretty confident he has done the cruciate ligament and the medial ligament as well,'' Hickey said.

''If the diagnosis is accurate then he will probably have to go straight in for a knee 'recon'. That's five or six months' rehab … so that will finish his season. It is a big loss for us. Cliffy is an important part of the team on and off the field. [But] particularly [important], his ball-carrying ability is something is difficult to replace.''

Palu will fly back to Sydney today with a battered and bruised Waratahs squad and is expected to undergo scans tomorrow. However, he is not the only injury concern for the Waratahs as they go into their bye round. Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and prop Benn Robinson are likely to both need scans upon their return to Sydney.

Polota-Nau suffered a suspected dislocated shoulder and came off very late in the game; Robinson sustained a blow to his forearm and came off at the 65th minute after losing feeling in his hand.

Five-eighth Daniel Halangahu suffered a medial ligament strain, but as it was judged a grade-one injury, he should be OK to play when the Waratahs face the Brumbies in Sydney in round 11 in two weeks.

Hickey, while ruing the inability to score any points because of the bye, conceded the weekend off was timely considering the injuries.

''You know the bye is coming. That you are not going to get any points that week. But in terms of injuries it has probably been a timely arrival,'' he said. ''It gives us a chance to deal with them, recoup and then prepare for the Brumbies.''

Meanwhile, Hickey said he was disappointed his side didn't take advantage of chances to score points early in the game, even though he was confident the Waratahs could rectify their deficiencies in time to meet the Brumbies.

''We created some opportunities in the first 20 minutes that we didn't capitalise on. Then we ended up playing the game at the wrong end of the field for the last 15 minutes,'' he said.

But he praised the Crusaders scrum for their strength against his forward pack, which has prided itself on their set piece. ''They are probably two of the better scrums of the competition,'' he said of the Waratahs and Crusaders packs. ''The penalty count finished up about four to one against us, so we will have to have a close look at what was happening there.''

 

[Pfitzy]

I'll tell you what was happening there Chris: "Roll away Red. Roll away Red. Roll away Red."

"Roll away Blue" then go for the whistle.

 

[#1 Tah]

Mowen, Dennis and McAffery, THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE!

 

[Reddy!]

Those injuries won't be good for the Waratah's chances, but they have good depth in their squad and will be able fill them, but you want your best players out on the park.

When you say rest of the season...do you mean Wallaby season as well?

 

[cyclopath]

Rest of the Rugby season, in fact the rest of the year. In all likelihood.

 

[matty_k]

Rugby Heaven said it could stretch into next next year's Super15 pre season.

 

[cyclopath]

ACL and medial ligament - best case scenario is about 8 months usually. May be even tougher for a massive unit like Palu. But if he gets it done right, then should be in some of the S15 and in the mix for Tests / RWC. That's a long way down the line.

 

[Pfitzy]

Having heard from barber-boy, I think I can sum up how I'm feeling with a few choice words: Fuck fucketty fuck fuck FUCK!

And the Tahs' credit just dropped. They may not even finish inside the semis now, especially with Robinson and TPN slowly breaking apart.

 

[Sully]

I have got to say a brilliant piece of work re-signing 1 day before a major injury.

 

[James Buchanan]

ACL and medial ligament - best case scenario is about 8 months usually. May be even tougher for a massive unit like Palu. But if he gets it done right, then should be in some of the S15 and in the mix for Tests / RWC. That's a long way down the line.

Given that I am also a fan of AFL, where doing knees, particularly ACLS are a relatively common occurence, my observation is that you generally lose the guy for a year (12 months) unless you have a super rehab program, the individual is particularly driven and knows exactly how to rehab the injury.

My AFL team Hawthorn, has one such guy - similar sort of size masswise (being a ruckman) and he'll be gone for approximately 10 months. This is his 3rd knee reco too, which is why he's so familiar with the rehab program.

 

[naza]

I'm still in shock.

How the hell was he cleared for the game ? His knee can't have been 100%. Why risk him like that ? The Tahs should have taken better care of Cliffy. They deadset nursed Rob Horne gently back into the starting lineup, why not the same for Cliffy ?

 

[Cutter]

ACL and medial ligament - best case scenario is about 8 months usually. May be even tougher for a massive unit like Palu. But if he gets it done right, then should be in some of the S15 and in the mix for Tests / RWC. That's a long way down the line.

Given that I am also a fan of AFL, where doing knees, particularly ACLS are a relatively common occurence, my observation is that you generally lose the guy for a year (12 months) unless you have a super rehab program, the individual is particularly driven and knows exactly how to rehab the injury.

My AFL team Hawthorn, has one such guy - similar sort of size masswise (being a ruckman) and he'll be gone for approximately 10 months. This is his 3rd knee reco too, which is why he's so familiar with the rehab program.

I've had enough knee ops to give an informed opinion.

If there is no bone bruising or cartilage damage, he should be able to have the op straight away and would then be right to run by August. He'll need to build up the muscle again though because it will waste big time. He might be able to start stepping by October. He'll also lose a lot of fitness and I suspect it will take him a fair bit of time to get that back. Unless there are complications, I'd be surprised if he didn't make it back for the trials. Absolute best case is that its not a bad injury, he works hard and makes it back for the EoYT.

Palu is important to the Wobs but I don't think this is a bad thing a year out from the World Cup. He will have almost a full season to get back to fitness and, this year, someone else will have the opportunity to step up to the plate.

I'm still in shock.

How the hell was he cleared for the game ? His knee can't have been 100%. Why risk him like that ? The Tahs should have taken better care of Cliffy. They Golly gosh! nursed Rob Horne gently back into the starting lineup, why not the same for Cliffy ?

I'd be surprised if the injuries were related.

 

[James Buchanan]

I'm still in shock.

How the hell was he cleared for the game ? His knee can't have been 100%. Why risk him like that ? The Tahs should have taken better care of Cliffy. They Golly gosh! nursed Rob Horne gently back into the starting lineup, why not the same for Cliffy ?

There's next to no way you can predict or prevent ligament damage like that.

It just happens, and it's done.