Wednesday’s rugby news has some injury issues for the Force, JOC ready for the Waratahs showdown, Wales boosted by a recovered Warburton and a broken arm for Robbie Fruean.
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Force make changes
Force coach Michael Foley is set to make a few changes to his team to face the Brumbies on Friday night, hoping that a number of new faces might spark a turnaround in form. in the tight five, Adam Coleman’s groin and hip injuries will push South African lock Wilhelm Steenkampwill into the team.
With blindside flanker Gus Cottrell in doubt after last weekend’s ankle injury, Steve Mafi is likely to start at No.6. On a more positive note, Foley will enjoy the return of Chris Alcock at openside flanker as well as Wallaby Nick Cummins on the wing.
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JOC ready with Quade tutelage
A major focus of the Queensland training regime this week has reportedly been the tactical kicking game of 10 James O’Connor, with Quade Cooper helping the former Wallaby to refine his game for the Waratahs. Duncan Paia’aua, Nick Frisby and Karmichael Hunt have all been used at 10 this year but Richard Graham has emphasised his confidence in O’Connor, even in a temporary role.
The match will also see Benn Robinson eclipse his idol and former captain Phil Waugh to become the most capped Waratah, running out for the 137th time this weekend.
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Warburton declared fit
Welsh captain Sam Warburton will be fit to lead the team in the vital Six nations clash against Ireland in Cardiff next week. Despite being forced from the field in the team’s victory over France on Saturday, scans on his right knee have only revealed bruising. Warburton will train with Wales this week, along with his fellow flanker Dan Lydiate whose scan on a hip injury also revealed no damage.
Prop Paul James, however, will miss the remainder of the Six Nations after fracturing his thumb against France. Wales are one game behind the unbeaten Irish going into this weekend.
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Fruean out for the season
Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean will be sidelined for the rest of the Super Rugby season after breaking his arm in last weekend’s defeat to the Chiefs. Fruean has had surgery to insert a plate in his arm and will take four to five months to recover.
“We know that Robbie wanted to make this a great season so this is hugely disappointing for him,” coach Todd Blackadder said. The injury is another hurdle in the talented 26-year-old’s stop-start career, which has been hampered by a heart condition stemming from a childhood bout of rheumatic fever.
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