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'He looked pretty sore': Aussie captain 'unlikely' to return this weekend
By Finn Morton
The Australian Men’s Sevens team have been dealt a major blow ahead of their quarterfinal clash with France, with captain Henry Hutchison “unlikely” to return.
Head Coach John Manenti believes Hutchison is “unlikely” to return to the hallowed turf of Allianz Stadium this weekend after he was helped from the field against Argentina.
Hutchison left the field early in the second-half with what appeared to be a leg injury, and Manenti later suggested that it was his knee – which was already taped up.
While Manenti said that he doesn’t know for sure how significant the injury is, the champion coach did say that Hutchison “looked pretty sore.”
“I don’t know, it’s his knee. I don’t know but he looked pretty sore,” Manenti told reporters.
“Unlikely for the rest of the weekend I would think. He’s a pretty tough bloke, at half-time he said it was bothering him but he wanted to go on and then he went one play and basically went down.”
The 2015/16 World Series Rookie of the Year quickly became a core part of the Australian Men’s Sevens program, and his absence will leave a big void in the heart of that team.
But there’s an opportunity for another player to stand up.
“He’s been unbelievable for us. It’s a real opportunity now for other blokes to step up and he’s been immense,” he added.
But the show must go on.
For Australia, their 29-10 win over Argentina has set up a meeting with France in the quarterfinals on Saturday evening.
France won their first two matches here in Sydney, before going down to Fiji 19-12 in a thriller.
“They’re a big, physical side. They match up pretty well against us on the back of their size and height, so we're gonna have to be really smart about how we play them.
“I probably wouldn’t mind playing in that heat again… it would’ve been nice to play in that I reckon.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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