Skipper James Slipper will return home from Queensland’s tour of South Africa and Argentina after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Reds’ disastrous Super Rugby loss to the Lions in Johannesburg.
Star playmaker Quade Cooper could also miss next Sunday’s clash with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires after being sent off in the 44-14 defeat at Ellis Park.
Cooper will front a SANZAAR judiciary hearing to answer a dangerous tackle charge after catching Lions centre Rohan Janse van Rensburg high in the 49th minute.
The Reds can ill-afford to suffer any more setbacks after sending an SOS to replacement prop Phil Kite as cover for Slipper and also watching powerhouse centre Samu Kerevi hobble around with a knee injury.
“It’s obviously really disappointing for James to suffer such a serious injury this early in the season,” said Reds coach Nick Stiles.
“We’ll miss his contributions on the field but, knowing the sort of bloke he is, he’ll still be heavily involved from the sidelines.
“We’re fortunate that we’ve got Stephen Moore in the side, who is the current Wallabies skipper. He will take over the captaincy in Slipper’s absence.”
After losing Slipper in the first half, then having winger Eto Nabuli shown a yellow card for cynical play in the 45th minute, the Reds were in total disarray – down to 13 men – when Cooper received his straight red.
Reds winger Izaia Perese escaped sanction for a possible tip tackle in the same passage of play, quite likely saved by Cooper’s more serious infringement.
Leading 15-0 at the interval, the Lions piled on further tries to hooker Malcolm Marx and a second-half treble to winger Courtnall Skosan – the second a brilliant individual effort – to underline the 2016 finalists’ comprehensive bonus-point win.
Duncan Paia’aua scored for the Reds in the 69th minute after a clever offload from fullback Karmichael Hunt, and replacement prop Taniela Tupou also bagged a consolation five-pointer in the final minutes from close range.
“We were pretty much humbled tonight,” Slipper said.
“Credit has to go to the Lions; they’re a physical team who can score points.
“Our discipline has to be one of (the lessons to take from the game). When you have a couple of cards, and then our set piece wasn’t really functioning, it’s hard to win games under that sort of pressure.
“I said before the game that if we play our game and play it well, we’ll be competitive, and we didn’t do that at all.”
Wallaby fan
Guest
Dont forget joc
Wallaby fan
Guest
Cooper received plenty of cards before the law change for the same offense. How long will the excuses go on for?
FARMER
Guest
Jock is a Kiwi living in Austalia who hates the Reds..I`m sure Simmons Higgers Genia Horwill Ioane Kerevi Gill etc etc are on his list as worst ever Wallabies as well..
Jock Cornet
Guest
The two worst wallabies to don the gold. Bloody terrible
Lincoln Lense
Guest
Jock, I won't disagree with you that those two players mentioned never reached the heights we thought they would and you could even describe their international careers as disappointing.....but....to say they're the worst two... have you not seen Dean Mumm ???
Dave_S
Roar Rookie
And every study of ex football players points to extremely high level of long term brain damage. If this was happening in the building industry or the military there would be a royal commission into it. Get with it you geniuses.
Jock Cornet
Guest
I hope slipper and qc have ended their international careers. They are the worst two wallabies it don the jumper. Absolutely disgraceful. No tikkka
piru
Roar Rookie
It's possible for a high end athlete to recover within 6 months these days, but seems to be less likely the bigger and stronger the person.
Then they're not as one eyed as you want everyone to believe, eh?
RubberLegs
Guest
One of them anyway.
RubberLegs
Guest
Agreed. Even the one-eyed South African commentators said yellow.
Brizvegas
Guest
Agree Marto there are some people imitating professional rugby players
Bakkies
Guest
When the match is up during the week I will have a look at it
Hoges5
Roar Rookie
Was a curious replacement, although I think it had more to do with the perception that they needed more experience in the front row. Slipper had gone and Vanzati had been dished up in the scrum (he got better eventually). The other prob is young too...and the Wallaby locks were being bullied in the lineout, so hooker gets blamed. Was tough to watch as Reds would apply pressure, but let it go again. Lions look like the Grand Finalists of last year!
Marto
Guest
Cooper cuddled him high with no exaggerated swinging arm... Rubbish call... Yellow at best...Game has definatley gotten softer with this new rule interpration.. So many red cards and yellow cards throughout the whole super 18 season already, and every player on the receiving end of the penalty carried on un injured... Some great actors out there...
Paul
Guest
Brumbies were good..
Paul
Guest
I`d say so..It`s usually a 12 month injury
Paul
Guest
Hooper played his usual wide running game well clear of the ruck , but whenever I did see him near a breakdown , Brumbies 7 Faksolaea was rag dolling him ...
Adsa
Guest
A ruptured achilles will put Slipper out for the whole year I guess?
Cynical Play
Guest
You cannot be taken seriously on the subject of Hooper. It is am unjustifiable view you have and once again you look for any opportunity to inject it. Hooper is the one bright spark in the long Waratahs night.