The Waratahs have confirmed strike weapon Lachie Turner will likely miss the entire Super Rugby season after tearing his hamstring off the bone.
Turner needs surgery on Wednesday to reattach the tendon and will miss at least six months of action, meaning, best case, he could be back if the Waratahs make it to the finals in August.
He is definitely out of Australia’s mid-year Tests against Scotland and Wales and, lacking match practice, would be almost no chance for the August-October Rugby Championship.
The lightning-fast winger finished 2011 in great form and was well positioned to have his best season yet for both the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
However, it all came to an agonising end in Tamworth on Friday night, when Turner suffered extensive tendon damage in the trial win over Samoa.
Waratahs management say Turner is in good spirits given the devastating circumstances and is concentrating on what he needs to do with his rehabilitation.
Tonga-born winger Atieli Pakalani is due back from a shoulder injury for the round one clash with Queensland and will be up against exciting youngster Tom Kingston and former Cronulla rugby league junior Brackin Karauria-Henry for Turner’s jersey.
In more positive injury news for NSW, No.8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring) and prop Benn Robinson (knee) are available for selection for Friday night’s final trial match against Tonga at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Fellow Australia winger Drew Mitchell (ankle) will also be back for the Reds match, while captain Rocky Elsom should recover from his hamstring strain for a return in early March, and Dan Vickerman (shoulder) will be back in April.
Lock Sitaleki Timani will also return from his Japanese rugby club in March.
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