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Extent of Quinn Tupaea's injury revealed as Swain cited for dangerous clean out
By Ned Lester
All Blacks head coach Ian Foster has revealed the extent of Quinn Tupaea's injury suffered against the Wallabies in Melbourne last night.
The All Black midfielder will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a ruptured medial cruciate ligament (MCL) as well as a partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his left knee.
The injury occurred during Thursday night's Bledisloe Cup test in Melbourne after a targetted clean out by Wallaby lock Darcy Swain, who has since been cited for the play.
Ian Foster stated in his post game press conference that Tupaea would get a scan, and shared his thoughts on the play:
"It looked dangerously like an ACL, which is a very very significant long term injury," he told media.
"We've got a big issue with it (the play by Swain), we've got a player who's probably going to be out for nine months."
"You're not allowed to target legs on the side and clean out past the ball. The rules are pretty clear."
Tupaea was securing the All Blacks ball at a ruck when Swain threw his shoulder into Tupaea's leg, forcing the Chiefs star's leg to twist.
Swain received a yellow card for his actions, although Wallaby coach Dave Rennie clarified there was no intent in the clean out in his post game comments.
"It was certainly nothing intentional." Rennie said post match.
Ian Foster again fronted press Friday morning and announced the results of the scan amongst other updates.
Swain's citing means he will face a judicial hearing with a potential ban the outcome.
Tupaea was injected into the match early after a head knock to starting No 12 David Havili, who is also under an injury cloud heading into the return clash in Auckland.
David Havili is unlikely to play in next weekend's follow up test at Eden Park after suffering a concussion in Melbourne, he will join captain Sam Cane in going through concussion protocols over the next week.
The injuries to the two midfielders could see a call up for Auckland's Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who debuted in July against Ireland but has returned to NPC duties to get game time.
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Latest Comments
Recent complaints that SA players have a 12-month workload isn't of itself a credible enough excuse to lay at the door of EPCR administrators. If SA clubs want to participate in NH league and club competitions and also participate in SH internationals, then clearly something has to give.
From the EPCR perspective, I do think that the format/schedule issues can be fixed if there's a strong enough desire to remove some of the logistical challenges clubs are facing with these long and frequent trips across the hemispheres.
From the SA player workload perspective however, I'm not sure how players can participate safely and competitively at both the club and international levels. Perhaps - and as Rassie appears to be developing, SA develop a super squad with sufficient player numbers and rotation to allow players to compete across the full 12-month calendar.
Bottom line though, is the geographical isolation is always going to restrict SA's ability to having the best of both worlds.
Go to commentsMoriaty refused to play for wales also he’s injured, France’s is being coy about wales, North in the dark but Sam David and jerad are you joking their not good enough
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