Fringe Wallabies centre Anthony Faingaa has been ruled out of the rest of the 2013 international season after being booked in for a shoulder reconstruction.
Faingaa will undergo surgery this week and is expected to be sidelined for at least six months but is confident he can start the 2014 Super Rugby season for the Queensland Reds.
The tough-tackling centre’s defence and organisation was sorely missed in the Reds’ 38-9 qualifying final loss to the Crusaders a fortnight ago due to a hamstring injury.
But he had also been hampered by a shoulder problem for much of 2013.
Faingaa was still last week chosen by new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie in his extended 40-man squad ahead of the Rugby Championship, kicking off on August 17 against the All Blacks.
Even though Test centres Ben Tapuai and Rob Horne were overlooked for the squad, McKenzie will not be replacing Faingaa for his first training camp starting Monday in Sydney.
“I’ve been carrying this shoulder injury throughout the last season and I feel that it is not in the best interests of my teammates at the Reds nor the Wallabies squad to continue to do so,” Faingaa posted on his Facebook page on Wednesday.
“I’m immensely disappointed not to be joining my brother, Saia, at the Wallabies camp on Monday.
“We missed the last tour together and now we are to be split apart again because of my surgery and recovery.”
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
As I got told eighteen times on that other article the other day, Godwin is apparently injured. Perhaps Inman should have got a look-in?
Markus
Guest
Agreed. The original squad looked to have a lot more cover for 13 than 12 as is - AAC, Kuridrani, Faingaa, F-Sautia - and if O'Connor is only being considered for the outside backs, that now leaves the only cover for Lealifano as Mike Harris, who could barely crack the Reds matchday 22 this year.
Warwick Todd
Guest
Succinct and funny..........beautifully said Markus.
Markus
Guest
Moving a player to accommodate Tom Carter. Only at the Waratahs...
AC
Guest
Seems odd EM is not bringing in a replacement. What a great opportunity to get someone in to get a taste of the Wallabies setup with an eye towards the future. Kyle Godwin Springs to mind, what could it hurt ?
jutsie
Guest
I believe he was in the EOYT last year but didnt get a run (inman that is)
Denby
Roar Rookie
To be fair to Horne, I believe he was a 12 through junior rugby and at club rugby but to accommodate Tom Carter he was shuffled to 13 at the Tahs. He really does seem to be a much better 12, it is more his natural style of play.
Denby
Roar Rookie
I agree with your selection, except maybe Taps, he has had a horrible season. Why has Inman never had a crack at the squad. His stats this season are phenomenal.
jutsie
Guest
JB my friend if you read my comment above carefully i suggest that mccabe and fingers would be good squad men due to their good work ethic and team first attitude. I dont think either should be in close to starting XV or even 23. I dont care what you say about horne he has delivered this year compared to previous years and as markus says below it could possibly be due to him playing in a position more suited to his attributes. I agree with your suggestions as centre options apart from JOC, i think his best possie is and always will be wing. I'd also like to throw in CFS as a 13 option. A 12/13 combo of godwin/CFS is my ideal combo. not sure about inman though, im a rebels fan but i dont think he has much more to offer than guys like mccabe/faiinga. Personally i hope the rebels give tom english some game time at 13 next year, i liked the look of him there in the last game of the season. As mention above im a rebels supporter so not sure how me talking up horne is being one eyed. Ive been to sydney twice in the 30 years of my life lol. I support the wallabies primarily and all the aus super teams with a little bias towards the rebs as i want the game to grow in my hometown.
Markus
Guest
It remains to be seen whether Horne is a terrible test player, or just a terrible 13. I wouldn't be in a rush to throw him back into the starting XV, but his form at 12 this season did warrant consideration for a 40man squad selection.
Denby
Roar Rookie
That is a very good way to look at a player of Faingaa's talent. He would most likely only be picked in the 22 if we had a number of injuries but he can still contribute by putting pressure on the squad for selection.
Jonny Boy Jnr
Guest
Justie - if anyone is more one-eyed in their selections than you on this forum I am yet to come across them. I wouldn't consider McCabe, Fingers and certainly not your mate Horne for obvious reasons (terrible Test player). Inside Centres: LLF, Godwin, Taps, O'Connor Outside: Kuridrani, AAC, Inman
Markus
Guest
Given that Horne spent the entire season at 12, he wouldn't have outperformed Faingaa in any area of 13, which is where I think selection went in favour of Faingaa. In terms of performance at 12 alone, I agree that Horne would have been above both Faingaa and Harris.
jutsie
Guest
Lol refreshing to see someone freely admit their state biases :) but I agree, both guys are great people to have around the squad due to their work ethic, but would not make the starting 15 if all players are fit. It is really good to see some options in the centres. it has been a glaring issue since the gits/mortlock combo.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Then I'm as big a hypocrite as they are, jutsie. I never said a nice word about Anthony Fainga'a yet, but I have plenty of time for Pat McCabe. Not sure I'd have either in my starting XXIII if they were both fit and the Wallabies had a match tomorrow, though. We are blessed with a new generation of centres. And our stocks in the outside backs are the richest we've had for years. I'd get McCabe in the squad, though, hopefully get his tackling vigour to rub off on the other players... Hell, why not just make him the defence coach! :)
The Sheriff
Guest
Many forget that both the Faingaa boys( and Lachlie Turner) have actually won a World Cup. Under 19s at Dubai
jutsie
Guest
lol it must make u chuckle to see certain supporters talk up AF as "solid" and a "good defender" but mccabe is called "boring" "conservative" and "attack stifling"
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Injury be damned, bring back Pat McCabe! =D
formeropenside
Guest
There will be no replacement called up for AF.
Amateur Hour
Guest
Don't know about the "Good result" part Will, but I otherwise agree with you. Wouldn't be surprised if EW calls up Tapuaii ahead of Horne though. There's also a pretty good case that Godwin should be ahead of both of them, but I don't think he can play 13 as well.