Queensland’s hopes of claiming the Super Rugby AU title this year have taken a massive hit after Liam Wright was ruled out for ten weeks with a syndesmosis injury.
The Reds captain sustained the injury to his left ankle in Friday night’s trial loss to the Waratahs.
A ten-week recovery would see Wright available for the pointy end of the season – he’d be back in time for the final round of the regular season as well as the finals. However, his absence for almost all of the home-and-away season is a major blow for the side.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the most respected leaders in Australian rugby since being handed the Queensland captaincy, as well as one of the country’s top flankers. Along with Fraser McReight and Harry Wilson, Wright formed the most potent back row in Super Rugby AU last year.
Angus Scott-Young seems the most likely replacement for Wright on the side of the scrum, having started a number of games at blindside flanker in 2020, however the Reds’ other captaincy options are somewhat limited.
James O’Connor emerged as one of the side’s leaders last year, however off-season reports that he was exploring a move to Super Rugby Aotearoa with the Chiefs may have scuppered his chances of taking the captaincy.
Given the Reds had no qualms making Wright skipper at such a young age, they may opt to give McReight the job on an interim basis. While just 21, the number seven captained the Junior Wallabies to the final of the Under 20 World Championship in 2019, and has been touted as a future leader.
Wright’s injury is the second major pre-season casualty of the weekend, after Brumbies speedster Tom Wright was ruled out for six weeks. The winger, one of the leading try-scorers in 2020, suffered bone bruising at training and will miss the first half of the season as a result.
jeznez
Roar Guru
I wasn’t aware of that but a quick google says you are correct. https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2020/08/11/super-rugby-au-waratahs-ramm-contract-2022 As Penney said, he warrants careful handling.
savant
Roar Rookie
Didn't Ramm tear his hamstring multiple times the season before last? I was amazed how quick he was last season. Usually players that tear hamstrings take a few seasons to run at 100% again. If that was Ramm at 80% the boy has gas.
MO
Guest
I remember some rugby league players who thought they were fit until they did some training with Jeff Hitman Harding.
jeznez
Roar Guru
That’s him. Reds let him go and he ran out for the Tahs at 4 on Friday. Ran a good line for the Tah’s first try. Drove well at maul for our penalty try. Was a split second late arriving on the clean out before Uru pilfered then scored. Was surprised he only got 30 minutes and that he played lock, while Jeremy Williams (a lock) played 6 later in the match.
jameswm
Roar Guru
I'd say got back into training too quickly without recovering enough.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Is that the Wood who played lock for U20s but is really more of a 6 at senior level? From Qld? I remember him being pretty decent. Or am I mistaking him for someone else?
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
I think this was his first time with the "Big Boys" and he may have been overawed. Moving from 20's to tests is more than just a step up, its climbing a mountain. I just think a year of club getting timing etc down pat and then get fit. You're right that no player has to look like David Pocock without a shirt on too. Just don't ask Eben Etzebeth, Maro Itoje et al to remove their shirts either. Dad bods don't play test footy, even in the numbers 1/2/3 now
Markus
Roar Rookie
Yes nearly a full strength XV there. Lolesio, Simone and Kata to come back in, Pasitoa may jump Kuenzle for the matchday 23, and I expect McKellar will continue with Tom Cusack as starting 7 even though I would have Brown there.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
True. And I’d prefer to see young professional athletes making the effort to be as fit as they can be. I’m being nice
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I didn’t see that game so really can’t comment but that doesn’t sound like anything I’ve seen from the young man in any game I’ve watched him in
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Yes Jeznez.....it’s being streamed on the Brums Facebook page.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I agree they don't. But Smith was an absolutely anomaly. If you are in horrible shape, you are less likely to be in great condition aerobically. Obviously it's not a hard and fast rule. But I tend to think a pro athlete less cautious about what they eat, and less concerned about carrying useless weight is less concerned about being in peak condition.
Brian Westlake
Roar Rookie
The difference here is George loved the hit and was brilliant against any nation. Mcreight looked like he wanted to be anywhere else but Leichhardt that day. He needs to mature in club.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Thank you for the news! I did not know the warmup games were happening! The rugby publicity machine is no better this year it seems.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Yeah, disappointed for him. Maybe a chance to hit the gym and pack on some upper body weight
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
George Smith was ragged about his body most of his career and played 80 minutes every week. McReight has no stop in him. Maybe it's just the way he is. They don't all have to look like Pocock.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I read about that. What were they doing in Wallaby camp that he's still nursing soreness 2 months on?
Adsa
Roar Rookie
Bugger
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Lezana at 6 too. Back row is as I thought.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Force have been named: 1. Angus Wagner, 2. Feleti Kaitu’u, 3. Kieran Longbottom, 4. Fergus Lee-Warner, 5. Tim Anstee, 6. Tomás Lezana, 7. Kane Koteka, 8. Brynard Stander, 9. Ian Prior, 10. Jono Lance, 11. Brad Lacey, 12. Kyle Godwin, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Byron Ralston, 15. Jack McGregor. Replacements: Jack Winchester, Scott Tolmie, Chris Heiberg, Santiago Medrano, Tom Robertson, Greg Holmes, Sam Offer, Jackson Pugh, Manu Kololo, Ollie Callan, Tomás Cubelli, Michael McDonald, Jake McIntyre, Domingo Miotti, Henry Taefu, Jake Strachan, Grason Makara, Toni Pulu, Marcel Brache, Rob Kearney, Richard Kahui. Interesting that the majority of the new signings bar Kuridrani and Lezana are on the bench. Also surprised to see Anstee at lock, he played there for Eastwood but he’s 1.91m and 98kg really thought he’d be backrow at this level. Apparently being streamed on the Brumbies website. Expect the Brumbies starters to have the advantage but the Force bench has huge firepower