Larkham's melanoma

[sydunisportsmed]

Even though this didn't generate as much news as some other health scares in athletes of recent times, it IS generally a very serious disease to have. Malignant melanoma is one of the cancers in young people that is still a genuine killer, and it is very hard to give a 100% reassurance about clearance of the tumour. Sounds like from the reports that it is low grade and hasn't spread, but it is very unlikely that in private that the specialist will be telling Stephen that he has nothing further to worry about.

[Danny]

May play this weekend round 6. A week earlier than expected.

[Danny]

Must have been just a rumour about the early return, Both Larkham and Rogers are out for an extra week. Mackay (Waratahs) is struggling with his rib fracture but is still a chance to play this weekend.

Rogers, Larkham out for another week
March 29, 2005
SMH

Match-winning Wallaby backs Mat Rogers and Stephen Larkham will each have to wait one more week before returning to Super 12 rugby action.

NSW fullback Rogers, who has missed the unbeaten Waratahs' last three games with a groin injury, had targeted Saturday's clash with the Crusaders for his return, but was withdrawn from the selection equation on Tuesday.

Brumbies five-eighth Larkham, who missed the champion's two games in South Africa after recovering from surgery to remove a melanoma from his leg, was on Tuesday named in a 23-man party for the ACT's two games in New Zealand.

Brumbies captain and centre Stirling Mortlock was also recalled to the squad following injury and will play against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday, but Larkham will almost certainly have to wait until the following week's match against the Highlanders in Dunedin.

"If Stirling gets through a bit of contact in tomorrow's session without his knee swelling up, he should be right and Stephen has still got a bit of an issue with the healing," Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher said.

"He's more than likely to be back after the extra week. He would definitely travel with us, we are allowed to take 23 and he will be the 23rd person and we would assume he would definitely be right for the Highlanders game."

Rogers was "close, but not quite close enough", according to NSW coach Ewen McKenzie.

"I'm extremely disappointed, absolutely shattered not to be playing this week," Rogers said.

"I pulled up a little bit sore after doing a rehab session this morning and I figured it probably would be best if I didn't do a 100 per cent run today."

Rogers said while he might have been able to get away with playing on Saturday he risked re-injuring himself and missing the remainder of the Waratahs' campaign.

McKenzie had a number of other minor injury concerns following Tuesday's practice against the NSW A team.

Five-eighth Lachlan Mackay, who has missed the last three games with a broken rib, left the ground late in the session.

He said he felt pain in the stomach, but had emerged from the session "unscathed".

"I guess we'll wait and see how it pulls up tomorrow morning," Mackay said.

Winger Winston Mafi jarred a hip at training while flanker Rocky Elsom hyper extended a knee.

McKenzie wasn't sure about the extent of Tuesday's injuries, though he does not intend to announce the team until Thursday.