Whoskins
09-01-2007, 07:52 AM
Interesting situation.
Jones tackles Connolly on truth
Dan Koch
January 09, 2007
The Age
FORMER Wallabies coach Eddie Jones yesterday accused his successor John Connolly of being a liar in a heated row over Chris Latham's potentially season-ending knee injury.
Jones faces an Australian Rugby Union investigation after the Test fullback injured himself in a Reds training session on Saturday that he was told not to attend.
Connolly was struggling to contain his anger after hearing Latham had torn both the anterior cruciate and medial ligaments in his right knee after a team-mate apparently fell on his leg during a full-field exercise.
The veteran of 72 Tests for Australia and 110 appearances for Queensland has already ruled himself out of the Super 14 season and faces a monumental challenge to be ready for the start of the World Cup in France on September 8. "It's very disappointing news for the team and for Chris because he has been in outstanding form," Connolly said from New Zealand yesterday.
"We will try to find out exactly what happened because I just don't know all the details yet but he was part of the group that was supposed to stay away from the contact sessions."
ARU chief executive Gary Flowers confirmed the collective bargaining agreement between the ARU and the players' association stipulated members of last year's European tour should not be taking part in contact training drills at present, supporting Connolly's claim Latham's injury should have been avoided.
"It is certainly my understanding of that agreement that the players who were part of the spring tour should currently be on a restricted training program," Flowers said.
"What exactly that agreement covers in terms of specifics is something we will look at and we will be seeking some clarification on the circumstances surrounding the injury to Chris."
However, Jones fired back at both Connolly and the ARU, suggesting there had been no directive from the governing body that prevented the returning Test players from training with their Super 14 teams.
"There's been no clear edict one way or the other from the ARU and anyone who says otherwise is lying," Jones said.
"Latho wanted to train on Saturday and maybe if we had a few more players with Chris's attitude we would be doing a bit better.
"It's one of the unfortunate things that just happens.
"We play a physical contact sport. This accident could just as easily have happened four months down the track. What are you supposed to do? Not train?
"John Eales did his shoulder in 1999 in the gym. So, do you stop players doing weights?
"The reality of the situation is it is unfortunate but players have to train. Some players want to train more than others and they should be allowed to do so."
For his part, a disappointed Latham said it had been his decision to take part in the session, insisting Jones had not put him under any pressure to return to the paddock.
"It was fully my call to go out and train," Latham said.
"As a professional athlete I want to keep improving and experience has told me the better I train the better I play.
"It was just one of those stupid freakish things that can happen."
Connolly spoke to Latham over the phone yesterday and will meet the champion custodian tomorrow, following his consultation with a specialist.
Although a torn ACL normally means a full 12 months on the sidelines, Latham, who was one of five finalists in the International Rugby Board's player of the year award in 2006, was positive about his chances of recovering in time for the World Cup.
"Doctors and specialists never give you guarantees but, with all the reports so far, I am very confident that I will be back by April or May," Latham said.
"I've done no cartilage damage in there and everything structurally within the knee itself is very positive.
"I'll be back, definitely.
"If it was ever going to happen this year I am just happy it has happened now and not a month or two months further down the track, when realistically it would have been far too late."
Connolly said every avenue would be explored before surgery, with the ARU scouring clinics across the United States, Europe and Australia to find the best and fastest method for treatment and rehabilitation.
Jones tackles Connolly on truth
Dan Koch
January 09, 2007
The Age
FORMER Wallabies coach Eddie Jones yesterday accused his successor John Connolly of being a liar in a heated row over Chris Latham's potentially season-ending knee injury.
Jones faces an Australian Rugby Union investigation after the Test fullback injured himself in a Reds training session on Saturday that he was told not to attend.
Connolly was struggling to contain his anger after hearing Latham had torn both the anterior cruciate and medial ligaments in his right knee after a team-mate apparently fell on his leg during a full-field exercise.
The veteran of 72 Tests for Australia and 110 appearances for Queensland has already ruled himself out of the Super 14 season and faces a monumental challenge to be ready for the start of the World Cup in France on September 8. "It's very disappointing news for the team and for Chris because he has been in outstanding form," Connolly said from New Zealand yesterday.
"We will try to find out exactly what happened because I just don't know all the details yet but he was part of the group that was supposed to stay away from the contact sessions."
ARU chief executive Gary Flowers confirmed the collective bargaining agreement between the ARU and the players' association stipulated members of last year's European tour should not be taking part in contact training drills at present, supporting Connolly's claim Latham's injury should have been avoided.
"It is certainly my understanding of that agreement that the players who were part of the spring tour should currently be on a restricted training program," Flowers said.
"What exactly that agreement covers in terms of specifics is something we will look at and we will be seeking some clarification on the circumstances surrounding the injury to Chris."
However, Jones fired back at both Connolly and the ARU, suggesting there had been no directive from the governing body that prevented the returning Test players from training with their Super 14 teams.
"There's been no clear edict one way or the other from the ARU and anyone who says otherwise is lying," Jones said.
"Latho wanted to train on Saturday and maybe if we had a few more players with Chris's attitude we would be doing a bit better.
"It's one of the unfortunate things that just happens.
"We play a physical contact sport. This accident could just as easily have happened four months down the track. What are you supposed to do? Not train?
"John Eales did his shoulder in 1999 in the gym. So, do you stop players doing weights?
"The reality of the situation is it is unfortunate but players have to train. Some players want to train more than others and they should be allowed to do so."
For his part, a disappointed Latham said it had been his decision to take part in the session, insisting Jones had not put him under any pressure to return to the paddock.
"It was fully my call to go out and train," Latham said.
"As a professional athlete I want to keep improving and experience has told me the better I train the better I play.
"It was just one of those stupid freakish things that can happen."
Connolly spoke to Latham over the phone yesterday and will meet the champion custodian tomorrow, following his consultation with a specialist.
Although a torn ACL normally means a full 12 months on the sidelines, Latham, who was one of five finalists in the International Rugby Board's player of the year award in 2006, was positive about his chances of recovering in time for the World Cup.
"Doctors and specialists never give you guarantees but, with all the reports so far, I am very confident that I will be back by April or May," Latham said.
"I've done no cartilage damage in there and everything structurally within the knee itself is very positive.
"I'll be back, definitely.
"If it was ever going to happen this year I am just happy it has happened now and not a month or two months further down the track, when realistically it would have been far too late."
Connolly said every avenue would be explored before surgery, with the ARU scouring clinics across the United States, Europe and Australia to find the best and fastest method for treatment and rehabilitation.