Progress is slowly happening: What each of our Aussie Super Rugby teams must do to take the next step
There is a lot of hope around the country, but there's so much more work still to be done.
The Waratahs have confirmed strike weapon Lachie Turner will likely miss the entire Super Rugby season after tearing his hamstring off the bone.
Turner needs surgery on Wednesday to reattach the tendon and will miss at least six months of action, meaning, best case, he could be back if the Waratahs make it to the finals in August.
He is definitely out of Australia’s mid-year Tests against Scotland and Wales and, lacking match practice, would be almost no chance for the August-October Rugby Championship.
The lightning-fast winger finished 2011 in great form and was well positioned to have his best season yet for both the Waratahs and the Wallabies.
However, it all came to an agonising end in Tamworth on Friday night, when Turner suffered extensive tendon damage in the trial win over Samoa.
Waratahs management say Turner is in good spirits given the devastating circumstances and is concentrating on what he needs to do with his rehabilitation.
Tonga-born winger Atieli Pakalani is due back from a shoulder injury for the round one clash with Queensland and will be up against exciting youngster Tom Kingston and former Cronulla rugby league junior Brackin Karauria-Henry for Turner’s jersey.
In more positive injury news for NSW, No.8 Wycliff Palu (hamstring) and prop Benn Robinson (knee) are available for selection for Friday night’s final trial match against Tonga at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Fellow Australia winger Drew Mitchell (ankle) will also be back for the Reds match, while captain Rocky Elsom should recover from his hamstring strain for a return in early March, and Dan Vickerman (shoulder) will be back in April.
Lock Sitaleki Timani will also return from his Japanese rugby club in March.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
There is a lot of hope around the country, but there's so much more work still to be done.
Some of the players don’t seem to have much of an emotional impact to losing.
It's another big week of trans-Tasman rivalry with four Aussie teams going up against Kiwi opponents and the Brumbies hosting the Fijian Drua. See…
The final result was 4-1 for the Kiwi sides but some of the results could easily have been different with a bit more maturity from the Aussies.
What has the pressure been like on DC at Tahs HQ? Harry Johnson-Holmes chats to Christy Doran and Matt Toomua on the Roar Rugby…
Layne Morgan took time out from Mad Monday to join the Roar Rugby Podcast. Ahead of the Wallaroos squad announcement, she highlighted how much…