injuryupdate
03-08-2005, 07:40 PM
From the quotes in the article below, it seems like the Wallabies and Stephen Larkham have made a fairly radical decision to opt for shoulder reconstruction immediately. One game in to the Tri Nations is the ABSOLUTE PEAK season for a rugby union player. Normally a player with shoulder instability would be able to possibly get through a key two month period 'carrying' a shoulder that was unstable and get the reco done in the less intense time of the year.
The exceptions to this rule are:
(1) If the shoulder is frankly dislocating on a regular basis - doesn't sound like this is the case here.
(2) If there is completely inability to play with the injury - again not apparently the case.
(3) If the team is out of contention in the comp - again no.
(4) If the player is not going to get the nod from the coach at the selection table - interesting concept this one. Normally Larkham would be presumed to own the five-eighth position. Perhaps 2 losses to Sth Africa has made the coach take the 'generational change' decision to go with Giteau instead?
This would be a fascinating decision, especially since Australia probably lost the World Cup final due to Larkham spending most of the second half in the blood bin (with Giteau clearly not up to his standard at that stage 18 months ago):
Larkham's season over
By staff writers (Fox Sports)
August 3, 2005
STEPHEN Larkham will miss the rest of the 2005 Test season with a shoulder injury, Australia confirmed today.
The shattering news came as the Wallabies named a 27-man squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday 13 August.
Five-eighth Larkham had an MRI scan on his right shoulder on his return from the tour of South Africa, with results received late last night revealing damage that will require a full reconstruction.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says the injury is a disappointment for both Larkham and the team.
"Steve is a resilient character but this is extremely disappointing for him, especially after he's been in such good form this season," said Jones.
"He was slightly injured in the first Test, but trained fully in the week leading up to the second Test and got through the game well. Further investigation in the form of an MRI when he returned to Australia revealed the damage was worse than we first thought, so it's very disappointing for him.
"Whilst he could keep playing with the injury, we feel it's in his best interests to have it treated fully now, and give him plenty of time to recover for next season."
Full treatment, in the form of a reconstruction and then recovery, is likely to keep Larkham out of rugby for the next six months.
"It's disappointing on a number of fronts, missing out on the rest of the Test season, the upcoming Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks and the opportunity to improve on our start to the Tri Nations," said Larkham.
"The shoulder itself didn't feel that bad on Saturday, but the MRI indicates it is, and the advice is to have the reconstruction now. It's a tough decision but the right thing to do to give me the best opportunity to recover in time for next year."
With Larkham ruled out, Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley are likely to come into contention for the vacant fly half position .....
The exceptions to this rule are:
(1) If the shoulder is frankly dislocating on a regular basis - doesn't sound like this is the case here.
(2) If there is completely inability to play with the injury - again not apparently the case.
(3) If the team is out of contention in the comp - again no.
(4) If the player is not going to get the nod from the coach at the selection table - interesting concept this one. Normally Larkham would be presumed to own the five-eighth position. Perhaps 2 losses to Sth Africa has made the coach take the 'generational change' decision to go with Giteau instead?
This would be a fascinating decision, especially since Australia probably lost the World Cup final due to Larkham spending most of the second half in the blood bin (with Giteau clearly not up to his standard at that stage 18 months ago):
Larkham's season over
By staff writers (Fox Sports)
August 3, 2005
STEPHEN Larkham will miss the rest of the 2005 Test season with a shoulder injury, Australia confirmed today.
The shattering news came as the Wallabies named a 27-man squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday 13 August.
Five-eighth Larkham had an MRI scan on his right shoulder on his return from the tour of South Africa, with results received late last night revealing damage that will require a full reconstruction.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones says the injury is a disappointment for both Larkham and the team.
"Steve is a resilient character but this is extremely disappointing for him, especially after he's been in such good form this season," said Jones.
"He was slightly injured in the first Test, but trained fully in the week leading up to the second Test and got through the game well. Further investigation in the form of an MRI when he returned to Australia revealed the damage was worse than we first thought, so it's very disappointing for him.
"Whilst he could keep playing with the injury, we feel it's in his best interests to have it treated fully now, and give him plenty of time to recover for next season."
Full treatment, in the form of a reconstruction and then recovery, is likely to keep Larkham out of rugby for the next six months.
"It's disappointing on a number of fronts, missing out on the rest of the Test season, the upcoming Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks and the opportunity to improve on our start to the Tri Nations," said Larkham.
"The shoulder itself didn't feel that bad on Saturday, but the MRI indicates it is, and the advice is to have the reconstruction now. It's a tough decision but the right thing to do to give me the best opportunity to recover in time for next year."
With Larkham ruled out, Matt Giteau and Elton Flatley are likely to come into contention for the vacant fly half position .....