Wednesday’s rugby news has Lachie Turner out, the Brumbies adding some weight to the pack, Palu sidelined again and a World XV assembled to play the Boks.
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Lachie Turner sidelined
The Queensland Reds have suffered another blow to their dwindling backline stocks, as winger Lachlan Turner is now set to be out of action for at least five weeks with loose ankle cartilage forcing a clean up surgery. “It is disappointing to lose Lachie (Turner),” coach Richard Graham emphasised. “He has been playing very well and has offered some versatility among the back three.”
Queensland back-ups will have to continue to step-up, with first-choice players Dom Shipperley (hip flexor-two weeks) and Aidan Toua (pectoral-12 weeks) also out. [/one_half]
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ACT front-row boosted
The Brumbies will enjoy the return of Wallaby front-rowers Stephen Moore and Scott Sio for Friday’s match against the Reds. 91-test hooker Moore has returned from a one-week absence after a knee complaint, while Scott Sio has spent the last three weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
The return of the influential tight forwards is much needed for the Brumbies depleted pack, already missing backrowers David Pocock and Fotu Auelua, as well as locks Sam Carter and Leon Power, all to varying knee injuries [/one_half]
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Palu suffers setback
The Waratahs will have to go without Wycliff Palu for Saturday’s match against the Western Force after an ankle injury failed to progress as expected. Palu was rested from last week’s win over the Stormers and was slated for a matchup against in-form no.8 Ben McCalman.
The match will be important in establishing the landscape of the Australian conference. The Brumbies (21 points), the Waratahs (20), and the Force (18) all sit within the top five approaching the midpoint of the season. [/one_half]
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Boks to take on World XV
The Springboks will start their 14-match 2014 international campaign with a scheduled match against a World XV in Cape Town on June 7. While all the details are yet to be known as the South African Rugby Union negotiate financial deals, the World XV backline will include France-based Australians James O’Connor, Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell, and former All Black Hosea Gear.
Meanwhile, the forward pack will include the likes of South African BJ Botha and New Zealander Carl Hayman, English loose forward Steffon Armitage and French No. 8 Julien Bonnaire. [/one_half]
