Nicholas
14-09-2006, 07:28 PM
Veteran Brendan Cannon is poised for a remarkable return to the Wallabies' hooking role with Jeremy Paul in severe doubt for Australia's tour of Europe.
Paul has been told he needs to have a finger reconstruction after snapping a tendon in a digit on his left hand during the 24-16 Tri-Nations loss to South Africa in Johannesburg.
The 29-year-old, out of favour with Test selectors at the start of this year, is desperate to hold on to his starting position leading into a World Cup year and is prepared to tour in pain.
But team medical staff will have the final say on his availability for November's eight-match tour as playing could have lifestyle and performance repercussions.
"There's serious doubt with Jeremy Paul," said Wallabies coach John Connolly.
"We think it needs a reconstruction.
"If he doesn't get it fixed his fist will lose power."
Paul's worrying report comes as Cannon, 33, prepares for just his second game back after neck surgery in Friday night's APC clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.
Cannon, regarded alongside fellow Western Force rake Tai McIsaac as the best set-piece hooker in the country, made a bulldozing comeback in the 32-6 win over Queensland last weekend.
The 40-Test veteran is known to be viewed as a better starting option than the more mobile Paul and contributes more around the ground than McIsaac.
Cannon's last Test was in the two-point loss to Wales last November when the Wallabies conceded a pushover penalty try but he was largely immune to scrum criticism that was mainly laid at the feet of Al Baxter and Matt Dunning.
Brumbies APC coach Matt O'Connor expects Cannon to be the Force's most influential player at Viking Park.
"For a bloke who's had a significant lay-off, his first game back (against Queensland) was sensational," O'Connor said.
"Even at his ripe old age he'll be the key for the Force."
Despite being overlooked for the initial Wallabies training squad in 2006, Paul finished the Tri-Nations on a high with strong games against the All Blacks and Springboks.
"He's a wonderful rugby player," Connolly said.
"His lineout throwing was first class under immense pressure last weekend, I think it was his best throwing performance ever for Australia.
"There's no doubt he has to work at his scrummaging."
McIsaac, to return for the Force next week, and Waratah Adam Freier are also competing for a tour berth while raw NSW youngster Tatafu Polota-Nau is seen as a project player.
First-round 14-13 winners over NSW, the Brumbies want to play a wider game on Friday night with former Red Julian Huxley calling the shots at five-eighth.
Watching from the stands, Connolly will be paying close attention to Force playmaker James Hilgendorf and put rival halves Pat Phibbs and Matt Henjak under the microscope.
Paul has been told he needs to have a finger reconstruction after snapping a tendon in a digit on his left hand during the 24-16 Tri-Nations loss to South Africa in Johannesburg.
The 29-year-old, out of favour with Test selectors at the start of this year, is desperate to hold on to his starting position leading into a World Cup year and is prepared to tour in pain.
But team medical staff will have the final say on his availability for November's eight-match tour as playing could have lifestyle and performance repercussions.
"There's serious doubt with Jeremy Paul," said Wallabies coach John Connolly.
"We think it needs a reconstruction.
"If he doesn't get it fixed his fist will lose power."
Paul's worrying report comes as Cannon, 33, prepares for just his second game back after neck surgery in Friday night's APC clash with the Brumbies in Canberra.
Cannon, regarded alongside fellow Western Force rake Tai McIsaac as the best set-piece hooker in the country, made a bulldozing comeback in the 32-6 win over Queensland last weekend.
The 40-Test veteran is known to be viewed as a better starting option than the more mobile Paul and contributes more around the ground than McIsaac.
Cannon's last Test was in the two-point loss to Wales last November when the Wallabies conceded a pushover penalty try but he was largely immune to scrum criticism that was mainly laid at the feet of Al Baxter and Matt Dunning.
Brumbies APC coach Matt O'Connor expects Cannon to be the Force's most influential player at Viking Park.
"For a bloke who's had a significant lay-off, his first game back (against Queensland) was sensational," O'Connor said.
"Even at his ripe old age he'll be the key for the Force."
Despite being overlooked for the initial Wallabies training squad in 2006, Paul finished the Tri-Nations on a high with strong games against the All Blacks and Springboks.
"He's a wonderful rugby player," Connolly said.
"His lineout throwing was first class under immense pressure last weekend, I think it was his best throwing performance ever for Australia.
"There's no doubt he has to work at his scrummaging."
McIsaac, to return for the Force next week, and Waratah Adam Freier are also competing for a tour berth while raw NSW youngster Tatafu Polota-Nau is seen as a project player.
First-round 14-13 winners over NSW, the Brumbies want to play a wider game on Friday night with former Red Julian Huxley calling the shots at five-eighth.
Watching from the stands, Connolly will be paying close attention to Force playmaker James Hilgendorf and put rival halves Pat Phibbs and Matt Henjak under the microscope.