Danny
19-06-2005, 07:59 PM
Rathbone out of upcoming Tests
June 18, 2005
FOX SPORTS
CLYDE Rathbone's wretched 2005 injury run has continued with patella tendonitis forcing him out the Wallabies upcoming Tests against Italy and France.
Rathbone won't be considered for next Saturday's clash with Italy in Melbourne and the July 2 meeting with France in Brisbane after the knee injury flared up following last weekend's thrashing of Samoa.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones can only hope the tackle-breaking winger will be available for the July 9 Mandela Plate match against South Africa in Sydney.
The return of Waratahs winger Lote Tuqiri from suspension and Rathbone's stop-start season puts the in-demand Brumbies flyer at long-odds to instantly win back a starting Test berth.
The South African-born winger had been battling the knee problem throughout this year's Super 12.
"As well as overcoming the problem he needs to get some game time behind him as well so it's a double-edged sword," Jones said today.
Tuqiri missed the 74-7 thumping of Samoa last Saturday following a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle in NSW's Super 12 final loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
He looms as an obvious replacement to join his former Brisbane Broncos teammate Wendell Sailor as the Wallabies' wing duo.
But Jones said NSW fullback Mat Rogers was a viable option on the left wing, particularly after a starring 20-point performance for the Aussie Mozzies in their 40-25 win over Samoa in Darwin last night.
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Tuqiri, whose wife recently gave birth, hasn't been in camp with the Wallabies and Jones wants to ensure he's in good shape after the break.
While Rathbone's international season is under a cloud, Wallabies halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham and tight-head prop Al Baxter are fit to return against the Italians.
All three will slot straight back into the starting XV, with Gregan, who hasn't played for two months after breaking his fibula, to regain the captaincy from Nathan Sharpe.
Larkham's return from a broken arm will see Matt Giteau shift from five-eighth to inside centre, at the likely expense of Morgan Tirinui.
Jones, desperate for a competitive opponent before the France clash, is rubbing his hands together in anticipation about Saturday's Test at the Telstra Dome after Italy upset Argentina 30-29 at Corboda today (AEST).
"That's an outstanding result to beat Argentina in Argentina," he said.
"There have been a number of very good teams that have got beaten over there or only won by a small margin in recent years."
Rogers, Matt Henjak, Greg Holmes and Scott Fava all crossed for the Aussie Mozzies in a match that also featured Ben Tune, Mark Gerrard, John Roe, Steve Moore and Hugh McMeniman last night.
Jones was impressed by all nine of his squad members that bolstered the Northern Territory-select side in a bruising five-tries-to-four win.
"It was a excellent week and a fantastic promotion for rugby in Darwin," he said.
June 18, 2005
FOX SPORTS
CLYDE Rathbone's wretched 2005 injury run has continued with patella tendonitis forcing him out the Wallabies upcoming Tests against Italy and France.
Rathbone won't be considered for next Saturday's clash with Italy in Melbourne and the July 2 meeting with France in Brisbane after the knee injury flared up following last weekend's thrashing of Samoa.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones can only hope the tackle-breaking winger will be available for the July 9 Mandela Plate match against South Africa in Sydney.
The return of Waratahs winger Lote Tuqiri from suspension and Rathbone's stop-start season puts the in-demand Brumbies flyer at long-odds to instantly win back a starting Test berth.
The South African-born winger had been battling the knee problem throughout this year's Super 12.
"As well as overcoming the problem he needs to get some game time behind him as well so it's a double-edged sword," Jones said today.
Tuqiri missed the 74-7 thumping of Samoa last Saturday following a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle in NSW's Super 12 final loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch.
He looms as an obvious replacement to join his former Brisbane Broncos teammate Wendell Sailor as the Wallabies' wing duo.
But Jones said NSW fullback Mat Rogers was a viable option on the left wing, particularly after a starring 20-point performance for the Aussie Mozzies in their 40-25 win over Samoa in Darwin last night.
Advertisement:
Tuqiri, whose wife recently gave birth, hasn't been in camp with the Wallabies and Jones wants to ensure he's in good shape after the break.
While Rathbone's international season is under a cloud, Wallabies halves George Gregan and Stephen Larkham and tight-head prop Al Baxter are fit to return against the Italians.
All three will slot straight back into the starting XV, with Gregan, who hasn't played for two months after breaking his fibula, to regain the captaincy from Nathan Sharpe.
Larkham's return from a broken arm will see Matt Giteau shift from five-eighth to inside centre, at the likely expense of Morgan Tirinui.
Jones, desperate for a competitive opponent before the France clash, is rubbing his hands together in anticipation about Saturday's Test at the Telstra Dome after Italy upset Argentina 30-29 at Corboda today (AEST).
"That's an outstanding result to beat Argentina in Argentina," he said.
"There have been a number of very good teams that have got beaten over there or only won by a small margin in recent years."
Rogers, Matt Henjak, Greg Holmes and Scott Fava all crossed for the Aussie Mozzies in a match that also featured Ben Tune, Mark Gerrard, John Roe, Steve Moore and Hugh McMeniman last night.
Jones was impressed by all nine of his squad members that bolstered the Northern Territory-select side in a bruising five-tries-to-four win.
"It was a excellent week and a fantastic promotion for rugby in Darwin," he said.