Queensland Reds recruit Caleb Timu’s Super Rugby season is over, with the rugby league convert injuring his anterior cruciate ligament at training.
Timu, who was only signed by the Reds from NRL club Brisbane two weeks ago, suffered the injury during a non-contact session on Wednesday and will have surgery next week that will rule him out of the remainder of the 2016 campaign.
“It was just one of those freak rugby accidents,” captain James Slipper said on Friday.
“I was right opposite him, actually. It was just a basic catch, he caught the ball, tried to step and take off on a run and it kind of gave way and collapsed underneath him.
“Most of the players knew right then and there it was a serious issue.”
Back-rower Timu, 22, made an impressive return to Brisbane club rugby last weekend and was set to be introduced to Queensland’s Super Rugby side in coming weeks.
No.8 Jake Schatz also had knee surgery earlier this month and won’t be back for several weeks, an injury that had opened the door for former Australian schoolboys star Timu to make an instant impact.
“He was really excited to get amongst the Reds’ boys and contribute this season. We as players are just gutted for him,” Slipper said.
The Reds host the Cheetahs at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night and are favourites to claim what would be just their second win of the year.
Rebel
Guest
This is exactly the case. A lot of rugby players use the NRL under 20s as a way of an income due to there being a lot more opportunities. Quite a lot return when opportunities then arise in the limited senior ranks of 5 super sides. Also happens in NZ. Not converts, just loan players. The question hss to be asked why league scouts need to plunder the union juniors if they have so much talent to start with.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Get off your high horse. He was an Australian schoolboy in rugby union before the Broncos signed him. When your most promising players are picked up by league because they will get paid straight out of school instead of plugging away in club rugby, it's hard not to contract "converts" if you want to get your most promising players.
Dingo
Guest
Problem is there is not too many shining lights coming up through the junior ranks, because they get poached by the league once they show an ounce of talent, so I guess we let them train up a bit and try to pinch them back. Have you noticed how much the Aussie super rugby sides are struggling now the top senior players are jetting off to Europe? How are the Reds going to look without Gill and Holmes, easily there two best performers this year? Grim days ahead I sense.
pete and paul
Roar Rookie
So aussie rugby has to rely on converts from league...if I was a rugby player in AUS I would be mightly miffed if some 'convert' took the place of a die-hard and dedicated rugby player do the ground work, honing their skills only to be bypassed by a 'convert' - AUS rugby is about as hopeless as it can get and that is the shame...
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
Can't catch a break ?? They had Richard Graham hanging around for 4 seasons !! Reds fans feel a bit like the hostage from the movie 'Room'. Innocent, damaged & angry that such a thing could happen to them
Who Needs Melon
Roar Guru
Mate, you can do an ACL doing just about anything - I've seen them go when people are essentially just running in a straight line. Probably been weakened over a long period of time and it's the last straw breaking the camels back sort of thing. Awful for the player and awful for the Reds. They just can't catch a break, can they?
pjm
Roar Rookie
Lol, you don't do an ACL that way.