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Wallabies star Allan Alaalatoa is out of the World Cup after sufferng a ruptured Achilles in Saturday night’s loss to the All Blacks in Melbourne.
Alaalatoa was taken from the field on a medicab bearing the best wishes of teammates who realised the Brumbies skipper’s World Cup dream had been shattered by the injury suffered against the All Blacks.
“I think that’s a fairly serious injury,” admitted coach Eddie Jones afterwards, confirming it was likely an Achilles tendon injury.
That fear was confirmed on Sunday with the Wallabies confirming Alaalatoa would have surgery on a “ruptured Achilles”. The timeline for such an injury is usually around nine months to recovery – with Taniela Tupou and Quade Cooper both suffering a similar fate last year.
Tom Lambert and Zane Nonggorr were called into the Wallabies squad following the injuries to Alaalatoa and Tupou, who succumbed to a rib injury in the 38-7 loss.
There was some good news though on the Tupou front – he has travel with the team to New Zealand to continue training with the squad – a sign that even if he misses out next weekend his World Cup campaign is still on course.
Jones also had an alarming update on Michael Hooper’s calf injury saying the co-captain would not be able to lay in next week’s return Bledisloe match in Dunedin and his World Cup is in some doubt.
“I’m saying that he’s got a serious injury,” said Jones. “And when you’ve got a serious injury there are deadlines and we need to find out the deadline. When you’ve got a calf injury, sometimes you don’t know how quickly it can recover.”
Tupou sent further shockwaves through the Australian camp when he stayed down injured for an extended period early in the second half before soldiering on briefly. He was, however, clearly in pain, grabbing at his side.
Stan expert Morgan Turinui speculated that Tupou had suffered a rib cartilage injury or broken rib. He left the field on 57 minutes but just after he departed he was yellow carded for a high tackle – his replacement Angus Bell – had to leave the field and Tupou was forced to sit on the naughty chair.
Tupou was laughing with fans after the game.
Earlier, Alaalatoa was crushed by the All Blacks pack when he got caught under a disintegrating scrum in the 37th minute at the MCG.
Allan Alaalatoa of the Wallabies comes off the ground with an injury. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
The prop was in clear pain as he grabbed his left knee. After a lengthy delay he was taken off the field and the outlook appeared grim
Jones, who had made Alaalatoa the skipper for this game in the absence of James Slipper and Michael Hooper from the starting XV, looked mortified in the coach’s box.
He was replaced by another star who has been through the ringer – Tupou playing his first Test since suffering a Achilles rupture of his own last year.
“He’s in a lot of trouble there. He got caught there, badly twisted and went straight to ground from the pressure from the front row and the All Black eight,” said Tim Horan on Stan Sport.
“He’s in some real discomfort,” added Sean Maloney. “These are horrible scenes, particularly in a World Cup year, for the captain.”
Allan Alaalatoa of the Wallabies looks on during the The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between the Australia Wallabies and the New Zealand All Blacks . (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
The Australian players rushed to comfort Alaalato.
“It’s such s sign of what an inspirational leader (he is),”said former All Black Sonny Bill Williams. “It’s a sign of how much the boys actually love him when he went down – knowing how big the injury is, and it’s a World Cup year. It was tough vision to hear.”
The Wallabies have Pone Fa’amausili in the squad and there could be a World Cup spot clearing for Zane Nonggorr or Sam Talakai.
Earlier Alaalatoa had placed a boomerang in front the of Ardie Savea as he stood out front of the New Zealand haka.
Afterwards, Savea laid down a tribute to the fallen Wallabies.
“Special moment to Taniela and Allan. Hope you brothers recover well. We send our love and prayers to you,” aid Savea.
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