Ioane may be latest injured Wallaby

Updated October 14, 2012 20:38:18

The Wallabies' most potent attacking weapon, Digby Ioane, is in doubt for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash which is being viewed as anything but a dead-rubber by the trans-Tasman arch-rivals.

Destructive winger Ioane is struggling with a lingering knee problem following the 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario and is a serious concern for an Australian outfit desperate to end the high-flying All Blacks' 14-month winning streak.

New Zealand heads into the Brisbane encounter aiming to equal its record of 17 consecutive Test victories by continuing a roll which started after the last trans-Tasman clash in Brisbane.

That night the Wallabies triumphed 25-20 to claim the Tri-Nations but fortunes have wickedly reversed since and injury-ravaged Australia will start rank underdog against an outfit near the peak of its powers.

Despite being without more than half of his best side, coach Robbie Deans refuses to accept it is mission impossible and says his players are buoyed by a "great" opportunity to upset the world champions.

"We will give it everything," he said.

"We respect them as a team but we also respect what we're doing and it's something that really excites the group and we're looking forward to it.

"It's important to us.

"(New Zealand) will obviously be very proud of (their streak) but it's not a motivation for us - we've got reason enough."

The potential loss of Ioane would be a major blow as he is the line-breaking threat the All Blacks would fear most.

The 31-Test flyer - who crossed for the match-winning try against the Pumas - saw out the match in Rosario but pulled up sore after carrying severe bruising into the game from a heavy knock in the 31-8 loss to South Africa the week before.

Ioane will be fully assessed Monday and the report could determine where stalwart utility Adam Ashley-Cooper returns to the backline after overcoming his sickening head knock against the Springboks.

Ashley-Cooper's availability makes for a welcome selection dilemma as rookie trio Ben Tapuai, Nick Cummins and Mike Harris all performed strongly against the Pumas.

Forever a Mr Fix-It, Ashley-Cooper would prefer to stay at outside centre - which would come at the expense of Tapuai - but did play both wing and full-back in the opening two Bledisloe losses - 27-19 in Sydney and 22-0 in Auckland.

"We're waiting to hear on Digby and then we'll go from there once it comes clear," Deans said.

Dom Shipperley and the returning Drew Mitchell (ankle) would also be in the frame to start if Ioane fails to recover.

Like the unexpected prospect of rushing back Mitchell, Deans did not rule out selecting number eight Wycliff Palu, who last played in the three-Test whitewash of Wales in June.

AAP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted October 14, 2012 20:38:18

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Injured Moore leaves Wallabies camp

Updated September 26, 2012 09:22:29

The Wallabies hope injured hooker Stephen Moore will be the only major absentee from their team to face South Africa on Sunday morning (AEST).

A gastro bug has gone through the camp but team officials are confident of having everyone available when the line-up for the Loftus Versfeld match is named on Thursday.

First choice number two Moore is on his way back to Australia from South Africa after a hamstring injury prematurely ended his two-match tour.

Moore was set to become the most capped hooker in Wallabies history against the Springboks in Pretoria, overtaking Jeremy Paul with the pair currently on 72.

However the 29-year-old re-injured his troublesome hamstring at training and returned home on Tuesday night.

The injury has forced him to miss the past two Wallabies Tests.

Polota-Nau will now start at hooker and Saia Faingaa to come on to the bench, while Queenslander James Hanson will join the squad on Wednesday and he will remain with the side for their trip to Argentina to play the Pumas at Rosario on October 7.

The Wallabies are looking for their first ever victory in Pretoria when the teams line up at Loftus Versfeld.

They cracked their first win over South Africa on the high veldt in 47 years with their epic win in Bloemfontein in 2010.

While nine Australians are backing up from that victory, only Jannie du Plessis and fellow prop Tendai Mtawarira have more than 30 caps in the South African pack that recently lost to the All Blacks in Dunedin.

But Du Plessis said there were some advantages to inexperience.

"Those players are hungry and will play better than someone who has played a hundred Tests and has a 'been there, done that' approach," he said.

"As they say, 'a hungry dog hunts best'."

Du Plessis said the Australian scrum was a different prospect to New Zealand as they relied more on strategy than a physical presence.

"I don't want to say they are cheaters, please don't say that, but they just scrum differently," he said.

"The Wallabies are much more tactical, they know what they want from scrums in certain areas and that's what they'll attack.

"So it's a big challenge against them ... they have a great loosehead in Benn Robinson and he scrums well with Tatafu Polota-Nau, they're both shortish and quite strong."

Dennis said the front row had worked hard to counter their opposition.

"What suits us might not suit them," Dennis said.

"It's all within the laws, it's just whatever works for your team."

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, south-africa, australia

First posted September 26, 2012 06:10:48

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Injured Genia set to begin rehab

Updated September 12, 2012 15:53:57

Wallabies half-back Will Genia is not expected to return to playing duties until the early rounds of the next Super Rugby season after undergoing a full knee reconstruction on Wednesday.

Genia injured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee late in the second half of the Wallabies' 26-19 win over South Africa in last Saturday's Rugby Championship Test at Subiaco Oval.

The surgery was a success and Genia is expected to begin his rehabilitation in the coming weeks.

His place at half-back in the Wallabies' starting XV to face Argentina this Saturday at Skilled Park has been taken by Nick Phipps.

Nathan Sharpe will captain the Wallabies in Genia's absence.

Genia had assumed the captaincy following season-ending injuries suffered by James Horwill (hamstring) and David Pocock (knee).

Tags: rugby-union, sport, brisbane-4000

First posted September 12, 2012 15:50:52

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Injured Genia out for six months

Updated September 09, 2012 13:48:39

Australia's captain's curse has struck again, with stand-in skipper Will Genia to be sidelined for up to six months after scans confirmed the star half-back had ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament.

Genia's injury follows the long-term omissions of regular captain James Horwill (hamstring) and the man who replaced him, David Pocock (knee), who are both already ruled out for the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

Genia went down with 11 minutes to go in Saturday night's 26-19 win over South Africa in Perth.

The Queensland star will be replaced in the Wallabies squad by Western Force veteran Brett Sheehan, with Rebels number nine Nick Phipps expected to start against Argentina on the Gold Coast this Saturday.

Coach Robbie Deans said Genia was a massive loss, but Phipps was capable of stepping up.

Although it seems to be a poisoned chalice, Nathan Sharpe looks set to assume the captaincy as he counts down the final matches of his stellar international career.

"I don't think we'll have a formal leader any more ... every person we've given the title to has broken so we might just have someone lead the group out the tunnel and we might have a meeting with a few good men on Monday morning to discuss the week," joked Deans.

"Will Genia is not there and Will Genia is a special player, there's no doubt.

"But as we've seen in recent times it's a team game and no one can do it by themselves and the group that combines effectively is more dangerous than one man."

In a further blow, lock Sitaleki Timani is considered highly unlikely for the Argentina fixture after suffering a grade one hamstring injury in his man-of-the-match performance against the Springboks.

Rob Simmons or Kane Douglas will be Timani's replacement.

Veteran hooker Stephen Moore fell to injury before the match, while centre Rob Horne is also out for the rest of the year after tearing his hamstring in club rugby on the weekend.

The positives for the Wallabies are that inside centre Pat McCabe is available for selection against the Pumas, while James O'Connor will join the squad with a view to being fit for the trip to South Africa and Argentina later this month.

Winger Drew Mitchell has also managed to avoid needing further surgery on his troublesome leg injury and will return to full training.

The Wallabies fly to the Gold Coast on Sunday, with Sheehan immediately joining the group.

AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, australia

First posted September 09, 2012 10:53:08

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Injured Beale out of Wallabies squad

Updated May 28, 2012 15:58:48

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has confirmed five-eighth Kurtley Beale has been ruled out of Australia's June Tests against Scotland and Wales with a shoulder injury.

Beale underwent surgery on Monday for the injury he sustained in the Rebels' 66-24 trouncing at the hands of the Hurricanes on Saturday.

The Super Rugby club said in a statement that the operation cleaned floating cartilage from Beale's left shoulder joint.

The Rebels expect him to be unavailable for at least the next three to four weeks.

"The fact that he needs an operation is indicative that it is serious and it will rule him out of the June (Test) window," Deans said earlier on Monday.

Beale joins Melbourne team-mate James O'Connor and Brumbies fly half Christian Lealiifano on the sidelines for the Test against Scotland on June 5 and the three-match series against Wales starting on June 9.

Quade Cooper, who has played just two Super Rugby games this season after returning from serious knee surgery, or Waratah's playmaker Berrick Barnes are likely to be picked in the number 10 jersey.

Captain James Horwill has also been ruled out after scans revealed a hamstring tear damaged during the Reds' 13-12 win over the Brumbies on Saturday.

Deans said the injury was not as serious as he first feared.

"James, we are presuming, is out for the whole of June, but it is not as bad as it first looked. It looked pretty sinister at the time," Deans said.

Deans said he was not ready yet to announce his replacement captain, but flanker David Pocock and scrum-half Will Genia are considered front-runners to take the role against Scotland.

ABC/AAP

Tags: super-rugby, rugby-union, sport, australia

First posted May 28, 2012 11:54:32

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Lealiifano injured as Brumbies forge ahead

Updated May 05, 2012 23:02:37

The Brumbies extended their lead in the Australian Super Rugby conference by grinding out a 23-6 victory over the Waratahs but lost fly half Christian Lealiifano to injury.

Lealiifano slotted 13 points from three penalties and conversions of tries by winger George Speight and centre Andrew Smith either side of half-time but was forced off in the shadows of full-time with a serious right ankle injury.

Brumbies captain Ben Mowen says Lealiifano's suspected season-ending injury dampened what had been a solid victory over the Waratahs.

"It's a little bit of a sour point on what was a really good night's performance," Brumbies captain Ben Mowen told Grandstand.

The Brumbies moved to 35 points on the table, nine ahead of the Waratahs (26), who are now ninth overall and in danger of missing out on the top six play-offs.

Each of the three conference winners advance automatically with the three teams with the next best overall records also qualifying.

"We spoke about getting our spacing right and being really aggressive off the line and we did that well in patches," Mowen said.

"But to keep them tryless, I thought the scrambling (defence) was the best thing."

The match proved a tight struggle characterised by bone-shaking collisions in the tackle, with Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau twice lying prone on the ground after heavy knocks.

The second forced him off before half-time.

Such was the atttritional nature of the match that when the half-time hooter sounded, the only points had come from two penalties apiece to Lealiifano and Waratahs' half-back Brendan McKibbin.

The Brumbies, however, who had made more effective use of their possession kept the ball alive after the hooter had sounded and Speight crossed after 11 phases to give the hosts a 13-6 lead at the break after Lealiifano converted.

The Brumbies again took advantage of the Waratahs' lapse in concentration shortly after the break when Smith crashed over and with Lealiifano's conversion the home side took a 20-6 lead.

The home side's defence also kept the Waratahs inside their own half and forced errors from the visitors.

The Tahs also played far too deep and were easily stopped before the advantage line and had little punch to their attack out wide.

Brumbies: 23 (H Speight, A Smith tries; C Lealiifano 2 cons; 3 pens)

Waratahs: 6 (B McKibbin 2 pens)

Reuters/ABC

Tags: rugby-union, super-rugby, canberra-2600, sydney-2000

First posted May 05, 2012 21:27:16

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Wallabies sweat on injured trio

Updated October 10, 2011 15:07:11

Australia's Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe and Sekope Kepu are all set to undergo scans ahead of Sunday's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand after a bruising last-eight clash against South Africa.

The Wallabies knocked the defending champion Springboks out of the tournament in a gruelling 11-9 victory in Wellington on Sunday.

Exciting full-back Beale, who has been troubled by hamstring problems throughout the tournament, went off five minutes from the finish, by which time inside centre McCabe had already exited with more shoulder trouble.

Prop forward Kepu lasted until 11 minutes from time before leaving a draining physical battle up front because of an ankle injury.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said the trio would all have "precautionary" scans, but was optimistic about their chances of being available to play the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Beale, 23, a rare attacking threat for the Wallabies in an attritional contest against the Springboks, had to sit out the final pool match against Russia with a hamstring strain and, were he to be ruled out against the All Blacks, he would be a huge loss.

"We don't know the full extent, but Kurtley was tight," Deans said.

"We're confident he hasn't torn his hamstring, but we'll know more obviously in 48 hours."

Deans said McCabe, who 'popped' his shoulder against the United States, had suffered a less serious 'stinger' shoulder injury at the weekend and was in a good way.

"We don't as yet how bad it is," Deans said.

"Pat is suggesting it is only a stinger, as in temporary, but we'll know more soon.

"Beyond that, I think we're OK."

Deans said Kefu had merely "rolled" his ankle, rather than anything more serious.

"First reports are that it's not syndesmosis, which is a good starting point because that's the sinister ankle injury," he said.

McCabe was replaced in the 53rd minute by experienced playmaker Berrick Barnes, whose impact off the bench was praised by Deans.

It was Barnes's touch-finder with 10 minutes left that led to a line-out penalty from which James O'Connor kicked the winning score.

"Berrick did well," Deans said.

"There was one very good kick that alleviated a lot of pressure and produced a bit of pressure, which ultimately produced the opportunity that we needed."

AFP

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, australia

First posted October 10, 2011 15:07:11

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Reds' injured trio return for key match

Published:Thursday, June 30, 2011 7:24 AESTExpires:Wednesday, September 28, 2011 7:24 AEST

The Queensland Reds will welcome the return of Beau Robinson, Anthony Faingaa and Dibgy Ioane for the Super Rugby semi-final against the Blues.

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Tags: rugby-union, qld, brisbane-4000

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Mitchell lies injured at Lang Park

 Published:Saturday, April 23, 2011 10:29 AEST

Waratahs winger Drew Mitchell lies injured during the round 10 Super Rugby match against the Reds at Lang Park on April 23, 2011.

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