Waratahs 2012

[Hawko]

From Lee's reports of last night's trial, it appears that one of the potential holes might be patched. Our backrow stocks looked thin for a running 8 who can cause mayhem. Dennis backs up Rocky solidly, but what to do if Cliffy's hammy is slow to recover full strength? It appears that Lopeti Timani went well, admittedly against weak opposition, and his running was a feature. Just another potential brick in the wall, I have high hopes as the guy seems to have rugby in his genes.

 

[fatprop]

Hopefully it 4 weeks and not 9 months

Turner's season could be over

• Jamie Pandaram
• The Daily Telegraph
• February 12, 2012 12:56PM

Injury: Lachie Turner. Source: Getty Images
WALLABIES winger Lachie Turner could be sidelined for the season after scans yesterday revealed a torn ligament in his hamstring.
Turner will consult a specialist tomorrow to learn the full extent of the injury but early indications are not promising.

The speedster injured himself during NSW's trial win against Samoa in Tamworth on Friday night.

Estimates put his return at anywhere between a month and nine months away.

A shattered Turner is hoping the specialist may give him some brighter news after a more thorough examination of the damaged muscle.

"It's really hard to speculate at the moment on how long it will be, but it doesn't look good," Turner said last night.

Turner's injury is a major blow ahead of the Super Rugby kick-off, with the Waratahs' other international winger Drew Mitchell in doubt for the first match against defending champions Queensland on Saturday week.


Turner was injured while trying to clear the ball out of a ruck.

"The Samoan player didn't like the idea of a winger being at the ruck so he cleaned me out, my leg got caught in the ruck and my body went over, lengthening the hamstring," Turner said.

Turner, who stood out for the Wallabies in the two games during last year's UK trip, was having a strong pre-season and looking forward to the new year.He returned to stellar form late last year and was looming as a major weapon for NSW.

Five-eighth Berrick Barnes hurt his finger in the 83-5 victory over Samoa, but he is expected to take his place against the Reds. Mitchell is racing the clock to be fit.NSW scored 13 tries to one, and Turner said "a few subtle changes" brought about by new coach Michael Foley had made a big difference heading into the new season.

 

[qwerty51]

 

[ShtinaTina]

 

[#1 Tah]

Here's hoping he is back sooner rather than later and stronger of it. After not seeing many tries last year and bench warming for much of the world cup, he will be absolutely gutted.

Head up Lachie, you'll be back bigger and better.

 

[Hawko]

As I was saying about our depth at wing......Mitchell, Pakalani, Turner are now all (still) injured. One more trial disaster and we'll be starting with Trist and Betham against the Reds. Still, I would rather do that than have someone like Mitchell come back too soon and stuff himself up.

 

[Lee Grant]

Agree with that Hawko and I think that Mitchell, in particular, will be reluctant to come back early.

I spoke to him in Tamworth on Friday night and he said that he had just started light running; so he's a long way off in my book. Having seen Lachie being assisted off the field by physios on either side of him and making his way to the sheds, gingerly, on forearm crutches after the game, I fear that he could be a out for a long time also.

At first glance at Tamworth you might have said that Trist and Betham are good enough to come into the main squad for Super Rugby if the guys you mention aren't available, but I know as well as anybody that their good showing has to be discounted due to the standard of their opponents on the night.

I don't know what the status of Pakalani is but if he and the other two all have to miss early rounds then I expect that BKH and Kingston will start on the wing, with Pakalani relieving BKH when he becomes available.

Also, we have to think of what happens if the Rubik Cube of the Tahs is twisted even further. The jaw drops considering: what it AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) is injured before those other guys are back? The backup fullback is ostensibly Turner, as he was last year, then Mitchell 3rd string. Hence BKH being trialled at fullback in Tamworth - but now both Turner and Mitchell are crocked.

Trist will cover wing from the EPS but who to cover fullback? Browne played OK for Tahs A on Friday night but I remember him as mainly a 10 for Randwick. Betham, who played on the wing for Tahs A can play there, but is no specialist. Hangers is another possibility but is not a potent ball runner.

I don't know why Batger was overlooked for an EPS spot and have forgotten if he has gone offshore, or not, but with injuries to 3 back three men, he is one that I would bring back into the squad as cover, if available. He is experienced and played for the Tahs on tour against the Sharks from the bench last year; so is no stranger to being recruited at short notice.

One hopes that the Tahs Rubik Cube is not twisted too many more times.
.

 

[fatprop]

Trist will cover wing from the EPS but who to cover fullback? .

Foley

 

[Cutter]

Foley

No one could accuse you of verbosity fp.

 

[fatprop]

No one could accuse you of verbosity fp.

thanks

 

[topo]

What about Kingston for a wing spot? Assuming Horne plays oc and AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper) plays fb,TK would move to wing. Trist is as good at fb as wing and could reliably cover both.

 

[suckerforred]

One hopes that the Tahs Rubik Cube is not twisted too many more times.
.

Love the imagery LG. Even more appropiate Drew's inital injury last year.

What worries me is that is seem the frount line Wallabies are falling... PLEASE NOT AAC (Adam Ashley-Cooper)!!!

 

[Crow]

It's happening again, isn't it. In 4 weeks time we'll be down to a 3 backs, a forward and 2 ball boys.
And even the ball boys will be carrying injuries.

 

[qwerty51]

Turner gone for the season, needs surgery.

 

[suckerforred]

Turner gone for the season, needs surgery.

Bugger. !!!!!

 

[Lee Grant]

I feared that. Bugger. If there is a positive side to it - young Kingston may get a lot of work this year, albeit out of position.

Foley

He, like, Halangahu could play there, and has for Uni, but is not really a specialist. I thought that his namesake, Sean Foley, who has a bit more toe could have been given a gig by the Tahs. He would be a better Foley fullback.
.

 

[fatprop]

Bernard Foley runs the ball very well, will work with the rest of the back three as a unit and has a good understanding with Barnes.

 

[suckerforred]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/s...hamstring-injury/story-e6frf4qu-1226269309352

Just read this srticle on fox sport re Lachie. I hope to god that Drew is not rushed back. All he will need is another injury and then he will be out for the year as well. FFS just let the guys get better before you start playing them.

Lord of the Icons - Can we get something that resembles and two year ols throwing a tantrum with tears? Sad face just doesn't seem to do this justice, and I have a feeling as a wallabies supporter I might need it later in the season.... If the injury tole continues like this.

 

[No4918]

Thats a big blow for the Tahs and really feel for Lachie. An injury or 2 to rule a couple of players out of the first round or 2 must be expected in trials but that is cruel blow.

 

[Lee Grant]

Bernard Foley runs the ball very well, will work with the rest of the back three as a unit and has a good understanding with Barnes.

On reflection you are probably right fatprop. He was very good playing 12 on Friday night, and whilst that is not to the point of playing fullback, it answers well a question about whether he can take his ability to different positions. Yes he can.

I think he will be a happy discovery for Tahs fans following his progress throughout the season. He should get a lot of time too. A fellow who can play so many positions to the manor born is very handy to have on the bench if a coach wants a 5/2 split. Maybe he won't play on the wing if there an injury there but usually others can move to that spot so that Foley can play in theirs.
.