Danny
10-08-2005, 05:48 AM
Jeremy Paul visited a neck specialist Tuesday and has been given the al clear. 'no structural damage' to worry about.
Larkham is gone after his shoulder reconstruction of course
Latham is in doubt with his chronic hamstring injury
Sailor is out of all tri nations games with a torn meniscus
Paul cleared of serious injury
By Ben Kimber
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones appears to have averted another injury-induced selection headache ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand after hooker Jeremy Paul was cleared of serious neck damage late yesterday.
Paul reported pain in his neck and shoulder - a particularly significant problem area for a front-rower - yesterday morning, with the team's medical staff concerned enough to send the first-choice rake to visit a specialist in Sydney.
Jones would have been anxiously awaiting the results, as his potential hooking replacements for the biggest match on the Wallabies' calendar included the underdone Brendan Cannon and inexperienced Stephen Moore.
Fortunately, news reached the Coffs Harbour camp late last night that Paul had been cleared of any serious injury.
"He saw a specialist in Sydney and he was cleared of any structural damage, so it's just nerve tissue and muscle," Jones said. "It settled down a fair bit in the afternoon, so we're confident that he should be OK."
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The loss of Paul, who is not yet out of the woods, would be a blow to the Wallabies' chances, as both forward packs will be looking to redeem themselves after being outplayed by their South African counterparts. Paul will be keen, in particular, to get the Wallabies' lineout back on track after Springbok Victor Matfield plundered the Australian's throw in South Africa.
Having to select either Cannon or Moore to start the game would have been a big ask, as Cannon only returned to the field last weekend in Sydney's Tooheys New Cup, while Moore has had only limited time off the Wallabies bench. All Blacks second-rowers Chris Jack and Ali Williams will no doubt look to apply extra pressure to whichever hooker Jones ends up fielding.
If Paul does recover and Cannon is selected on the bench as expected, the latter is likely to pack in at some stage against All Blacks rake Keven Mealamu, the player he punched in the face in the corresponding fixture last year.
Cannon received a one-match suspension for the indiscretion, missing the Wallabies' win over the Springboks in Perth before reclaiming the starting jersey from Paul to take part in the win over New Zealand in Sydney.
Along with Paul, Wallabies management will also be monitoring fullback Chris Latham and his recurring hamstring injury. If the fullback is forced to withdraw, two of the back three positions would most likely be occupied by rookies.
Jones yesterday said Latham was on track to play in the match. "He should be training 100 per cent tomorrow, he's coming along really well and everyone else, fingers crossed, is right at this moment," he said.
Clyde Rathbone is expected to return to the bench. With players such as Drew Mitchell and Mark Gerrard already part of the Wallabies squad for some time this year, a more measured return can be organised than that which Cannon was facing in the absence of Paul.
Even if Latham does prove his fitness, the player who takes the wing position vacated by the injured Wendell Sailor - tipped to be Mitchell - will face a stern test with the likely return of flying All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu. Winger Sivivatu missed the All Blacks' loss to South Africa with shoulder and calf problems but is back in the frame and will add further danger from out wide, where Rico Gear is also in form.
The Wallabies return to Sydney today from their Coffs Harbour camp, with Paul set to join the squad in Parramatta.
Larkham is gone after his shoulder reconstruction of course
Latham is in doubt with his chronic hamstring injury
Sailor is out of all tri nations games with a torn meniscus
Paul cleared of serious injury
By Ben Kimber
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones appears to have averted another injury-induced selection headache ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand after hooker Jeremy Paul was cleared of serious neck damage late yesterday.
Paul reported pain in his neck and shoulder - a particularly significant problem area for a front-rower - yesterday morning, with the team's medical staff concerned enough to send the first-choice rake to visit a specialist in Sydney.
Jones would have been anxiously awaiting the results, as his potential hooking replacements for the biggest match on the Wallabies' calendar included the underdone Brendan Cannon and inexperienced Stephen Moore.
Fortunately, news reached the Coffs Harbour camp late last night that Paul had been cleared of any serious injury.
"He saw a specialist in Sydney and he was cleared of any structural damage, so it's just nerve tissue and muscle," Jones said. "It settled down a fair bit in the afternoon, so we're confident that he should be OK."
advertisement - story continues below
The loss of Paul, who is not yet out of the woods, would be a blow to the Wallabies' chances, as both forward packs will be looking to redeem themselves after being outplayed by their South African counterparts. Paul will be keen, in particular, to get the Wallabies' lineout back on track after Springbok Victor Matfield plundered the Australian's throw in South Africa.
Having to select either Cannon or Moore to start the game would have been a big ask, as Cannon only returned to the field last weekend in Sydney's Tooheys New Cup, while Moore has had only limited time off the Wallabies bench. All Blacks second-rowers Chris Jack and Ali Williams will no doubt look to apply extra pressure to whichever hooker Jones ends up fielding.
If Paul does recover and Cannon is selected on the bench as expected, the latter is likely to pack in at some stage against All Blacks rake Keven Mealamu, the player he punched in the face in the corresponding fixture last year.
Cannon received a one-match suspension for the indiscretion, missing the Wallabies' win over the Springboks in Perth before reclaiming the starting jersey from Paul to take part in the win over New Zealand in Sydney.
Along with Paul, Wallabies management will also be monitoring fullback Chris Latham and his recurring hamstring injury. If the fullback is forced to withdraw, two of the back three positions would most likely be occupied by rookies.
Jones yesterday said Latham was on track to play in the match. "He should be training 100 per cent tomorrow, he's coming along really well and everyone else, fingers crossed, is right at this moment," he said.
Clyde Rathbone is expected to return to the bench. With players such as Drew Mitchell and Mark Gerrard already part of the Wallabies squad for some time this year, a more measured return can be organised than that which Cannon was facing in the absence of Paul.
Even if Latham does prove his fitness, the player who takes the wing position vacated by the injured Wendell Sailor - tipped to be Mitchell - will face a stern test with the likely return of flying All Black Sitiveni Sivivatu. Winger Sivivatu missed the All Blacks' loss to South Africa with shoulder and calf problems but is back in the frame and will add further danger from out wide, where Rico Gear is also in form.
The Wallabies return to Sydney today from their Coffs Harbour camp, with Paul set to join the squad in Parramatta.