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Tom Banks’ hopes of appearing in a maiden World Cup campaign have copped a huge blow, with the Wallabies fullback breaking his arm during Honda Heat’s promotion to the Japanese League One competition.
Banks was forced off after just 10 minutes against NEC Green Rockets during their promotion/relegation clash.
While his side celebrated a 13-12 victory over the Green Rockets to earn promotion into the top division, it came at a heavy cost for their multi-million-dollar fullback, who suffered his third broken arm in 20 months , The Roar understands.
Banks, 28, had been listed as one of seven overseas players included in Eddie Jones’ April training squad.
His broken arm, which will likely sideline him for two months, means he will miss the bulk of the Rugby Championship and therefore hurt his chances of a World Cup call-up.
Tom Banks suffered another broken arm over the weekend. It was his third in as many years after going down against England in Perth in July, 2023. (Photo by James Worsfold/Getty Images)
After breaking his arm against England in the Wallabies’ first-up win in Perth, Banks returned for last year’s Spring Tour but only played the opening match against Scotland after another injury. He suffered his first arm break against South Africa in September, 2021.
Before the tour, Banks spoke about his desire to push his World Cup case.
“Obviously (missing out on) 2019 was extremely disappointing,” he said.
“I thought I had a good chance but, unfortunately, I wasn’t selected.
“I think the World Cup is the Holy Grail to work towards. That’s the biggest thing.”
Nonetheless, given Tom Wright’s rise and the form Andrew Kellaway and Jock Campbell are showing, as well as the tightness of the Wallabies’ overseas eligibility policy, Banks was always hard-pressed to make the World Cup squad after moving to Japan this season.
Meanwhile, Bernard Foley led Kubota Spears to the League One final by playing a pivotal role in his side’s 24-18 victory over Suntory Sungoliath.
Foley scored a try and was named player of the match against the powerhouse Japanese side, whom Jones remains an advisor for after a three-decade association.
The 33-year-old, who made his comeback for the Wallabies during last year’s Rugby Championship and played three Tests on last year’s Spring Tour, scored the all-important match-sealing try in the 77th minute.
After a 5 metre scrum on Suntory’s line, Foley ran to the line and scored next to the posts to seal their semi-final victory.
Wallabies star Samu Kerevi made his comeback in the loss, coming off the bench in the 57th minute.
It was his first match since his devastating ACL injury during the Commonwealth Games last August.
In a double blow, Kerevi’s new side Urayasu D-Rocks, who feature Liam Gill and Israel Folau, failed in their bid for promotion against Quade Cooper and Will Genia’s Kintetsu Liners, suffering a 56-21 defeat.
After playing 40 minutes on return last weekend, Cooper was on the field for an hour on Saturday and weaved his magic, scoring a try and setting up another from a pinpoint high kick.
Wallabies flyer Marika Koroibete, meanwhile, scored a hat-trick during Saitama Panasonic Wild Knight’s comeback win over Yokohama Canon Eagles.
Yokohama led 14-3 at one point, and 17-15 at halftime, but had no answer after the break as the defending champions ran riot, scoring five tries to win the half 36-3, and the match 51-20.
Marika Koroibete scored a second half hat-trick during the Wild Knights’ big semi-final win over Cannon in the Japanese League One competition. Photo: Panasonic Wild Knights
Two of Koroibete’s tries started from within his own half, with the 30-year-old completing his hat-trick after a storming 50-metre blast down the line.
The John Eales Medallist, who was named Australia’s best player for the second time in four years last month, is expected to be one of the first names on Jones’ team.
Former Wallabies centre Curtis Rona and flyhalf Matt To’omua were try-scorers as Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars beat Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi 43-14 to retain their Division One status.
The Wycliff Palu-coached Kurita Water Gush Akishima failed in their bid for promotion to Division Two after a 38-28 loss to Kamaishi Seawaves.
Additional reporting AAP
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