Aussie latest – Burgess blow for Tahs
21 Jun 2011
Keo.co.za brings you news from Australia’s Super Rugby franchises.
Burgess blow for Tahs – Luke Burgess has broken his hand and won’t be available for the rest of the Waratahs’ campaign.
Burgess sustained the injury during a training session in Auckland on Tuesday. He will miss Friday’s play-off as well as a possible semi-final and final.
The Tahs will rely on Josh Holmes or Brendan McKibbin to fill the scrumhalf void, while Kurtley Beale is likely to play flyhalf.
The Tahs are already without Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Wycliff Palu, Sekope Kepu, Rob Horne, Ben Mowen, Pat McCutcheon and Damien Fitzpatrick, while Tatafu Polota-Nau, Al Baxter and Daniel Halangahu were injured in last week’s game and are also unavailable.
Waugh to retire - Waratahs flanker Phil Waugh has announced he will stop playing at the end of the 2011 season.
He does, however, still have ambitions of representing the Wallabies at the World Cup.
The 31-year-old, who has 79 caps for the Wallabies, said: ‘The timing is right for me to make the transition into business. It’s been my honour and my privilege to play at the Waratahs for 13 years.
‘I’ve been very humbled and very proud to have represented Australia over a decade, which has encompassed 79 Test matches, and I hope to increase on that number. It’s obviously a big year for rugby and I want to be a part of that World Cup squad.
Reds lose Slipper - Reds prop James Slipper has been ruled out of the semi-final with an ankle injury.
The blow was sustained against the Chiefs at the weekend and there is also doubt that he will recover in time for a potential final.
11 Comments
21 Jun 2011, 09:08 am
Australia without an international Waugh – mut be the first time in two decades!
21 Jun 2011, 09:33 am
Damn the reds lost a slipper? was it fluffy?
21 Jun 2011, 09:53 am
Thank fu*k for that! Now I wont have to look at his ugly mug ever again. Hallelujah! Surly p03s.
21 Jun 2011, 11:28 am
A valuable player for his tenacity and experience.
But Deans has never appeared to rate him.
Pocock is first choice.
And now, with the rise of Robinson, I can’t really see Waugh getting a look in for the RWC unless Deans deems experience necessary. Which is unlikely, considering he’s embraced youth throughout his tenure as Wallabies coach.
Much will depend on injuries though.
I still don’t get what Deans sees in Brown – very average, in my mind.
Pocock, Elsom, Palu, Robinson, Higgenbotham should be the loosies for Aus come World Cup time I reckon, with McAlman having an outside chance.
21 Jun 2011, 11:32 am
Everyone waxes lyrical about the NZ backline players and rightly so, but…
Consider the playmakers for the Wallabies:
Genia
Cooper
O Connor
Barnes (if fit)
Giteau (if back on his game)
Beale
Truly exceptional players, one and all!
Combined with the finishing capabilities of Mitchell (if fit), Ioane and the grunt of Ashley-Cooper and Mortlock, it makes for one hell of a backline come World Cup time.
But then I wouldn’t shake a stick at:
Du Preez
James
Aplon
De Villiers
Fourie
Pieterson
Steyn
21 Jun 2011, 12:32 pm
Will be lying if I say I liked the fellow but good luck to him in his future endeavours. Old workhorse that always gave his best and the Worrytahs will miss him…
21 Jun 2011, 12:45 pm
Phil has been a magnificent player.
He managed to get 79 Tests in stiff competition with George of the Brumbies.
That alone makes him outstanding.
To all those above whose comments are less than favourable?
Why?
21 Jun 2011, 15:14 pm
Phil Waugh
-Never really rated him as a player but as Cane mentions to be able to get 79 Test matches which George Smith as competition is outstanding..(George Smith is the world’s most capped loosefwd by the way)
Had a high workrate and tenacious indeed.His best season(s) was the 2005/6 superrugby campaigns.Especially in 06 where he forced Smith to 8.Was never the most gracious of individuals at times especailly as a cappie(some comments made post game) much like Nathan Sharpe and Gregan.Hardly give opposition their due when beaten.But guess its an Aussie thing
21 Jun 2011, 20:54 pm
The Wallabies backline will torment opponents in the World Cup
15 Kurtley Beale / Mark Gerrard
14 James O’ Connor / Lachie Turner
13 Adam Ashley-Cooper / Ryan Cross
12 Mat Giteau / Anthony Faainga
11 Digby Ioane / Peter Hynes
10 Quade Cooper / Berrick Barnes
9 Will Genia / Josh Valentine / Luke Burgess
21 Jun 2011, 20:56 pm
@Rhys7(Rhys7)-9:
+ Cameron Shepherd, Stirling Mortlock, Rob Horne, Nick Cummins, Pat McCabe
22 Jun 2011, 00:36 am
Whats a good backline without the forwards…..and in our case whats great forwards with out aq backline.
Always thought Australia’s demise started when the attacking combination of Waugh and Smith was dropped.
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.