Wallabies vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper admits he’s received no guarantees that a tendon behind his right knee won’t “completely snap” when he returns to rugby.
Ashley-Cooper on Wednesday all but ruled himself out of the NSW Waratahs’ round-nine clash with the Stormers as he continues his recovery from a rare injury that has perplexed doctors.
The 104-Test stalwart has already been sidelined for a month, but Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had been confident he’d return after this weekend’s bye.
But speaking for the first time since breaking down against the Melbourne Rebels in round two, Ashley-Cooper said he needed to take a cautious approach in this all-important World Cup year.
“Our (Waratahs) doctor – Dr Sharon Flahive, who has been working for 26 years in sports medicine, hasn’t seen this before, any case like it,” he said.
“We contacted the Swans doctor, who’d only had one case in his 35 years.
“So because it’s so very uncommon, so rare, it’s hard to put a time frame on the actual recovery period.
“It’s basically day-to-day and how it responds to rehab.
“So at the moment I’m confident with how I’m progressing and I’m hopeful for another three weeks (out).”
After initially thinking he’d strained a calf muscle against the Rebels, doctors later diagnosed the injury as Baker’s cyst.
“Which wasn’t exactly true,” Ashley-Cooper said.
“So I’d gone back to training and I’d gone to jump up for a ball and tore the semitendinosus, which is the hamstring tendon that attaches at the front of the shin bone.
“I’m confident that it won’t linger and it’ll get better, but I saw a specialist who said it was hard to say whether it was going to completely hold or completely snap.
“Time will tell.”
The backline ace said the uncertain nature of the recovery process was making life “tricky”.
“I want to be playing,” he said.
“The pressure to return to playing is always there. The guys are playing well and I want to be a part of that.
“But I think I’ve got to be smart in regards to making the right decision for myself, the team and obviously the end-of-year goal, which is the World Cup.
“I’m back running, which is good news. I’m just hopeful that that 90 to 100 per cent won’t be too long (away).”
Iwillnotstandby
Guest
Folau has got to be 13 if no Kuridrani. Kerevi could be a bolter and maybe see how Speight goes at 13 and throw him into the mix. Throw Beale into fullback. I agree that Carraro has stepped up nicely in AAC' absence. All these people which about AAC not passing need to look at some more games. Sure he's made some poor decisions on occasion where he should have offloaded, but he does pass on a regular basis.
riddler
Guest
i think carraro is doing a great job at the moment at 13.. not sure if aac adds anymore than he is doing..
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Surely we cannot consider Folau there. He does not defend at 13 and it's an integral defensive position. Likewise CFS, but because he has been putrid this season.
PeterK
Roar Guru
agree Kerevi looks the better option
pjm
Roar Rookie
Some of the best tries from the Tahs this year wouldn't of happened with AAC there as Carraro passes the ball and passes it well.
jameswm
Guest
By the way with the way Carraro is playing, the Tahs really aren't losing a lot with AAC's injury. That's not to have a go at Ads, but Carraro has been really impressive and does the basics well.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah sometimes that line is used sarcastically, but not this time. And I would take Kerevi.
Markus
Guest
Inman's change in form has come with his move to inside centre though. He was pretty disappointing while he was still playing at 13.
Paul
Guest
I think it'd be prudent to consider keeping Mitch Inman in the loop for RWC. Make sure he's aware of the structures. I think he'd be a good fit for the big 13 and has certainly looked solid at the rebels
PeterK
Roar Guru
when he says it could not happen to a better bloke. It can be read as the injury could not happen to a better bloke when I think its meant now that he is back running and is happy about that.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Not sure where in the post it says he doesn't like AAC. Only the praise at the beginning.
riddler
Guest
Am confused... u like or don't like aac?
Anthony Hird
Roar Guru
Couldn't happen to a better bloke or player. Would be interesting to see how the Wallabies combat the selection of a 13 if Kuridrani and AAC were ruled out. Who are our other #13 options: - Kurevi - Folau - Horne - Godwin - who IMO is a better 12 that 13. - Chris F-Sautia Quite a tough one. Speedy recovery to both players.