Fears 18-year-old prodigy Petaia could have sustained dreaded 'Lisfranc fracture'
Queensland will cross their fingers for good news as Jordan Petaia awaits scan results following his short-lived return to Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
The emerging centre sent tongues wagging with his powerful display in New Zealand against the Highlanders last weekend but was felled on his first run in the Reds' 22-12 loss to the Crusaders in Brisbane.
The 18-year-old's lower leg was awkwardly squashed in a tackle, forcing him to limp off as the Reds battled hard to stay in touch with the back-to-back defending champions.
Coach Brad Thorn wasn't sure of the extent of the injury, labelling it "possibly an ankle" despite it being labelled a foot sprain during the game.
If diagnosed as a Lisfranc fracture it would all but rule the Wallabies contender out of Japan's World Cup in September.
Continue reading below...
"We'll find out when they get that checked up," Thorn said. "He looked a bit ginger though; it wasn't great losing him early.
"He's a great young talent, a disappointing night for him."
The Reds battled on without their young livewire, pushing the Crusaders in what was a record-extending 18th consecutive Super Rugby victory.
Fullback Bryce Hegarty, who played on despite popping a rib, was used often as first receiver to relieve the pressure on five-eighth Hamish Stewart.
Too often they gifted the Crusaders pressure-free possession though, Thorn admitting their kicking game remained a work in progress.
Crusaders coach Scott Robertson praised the Reds' toughness, saying there was a "new feel" about them.
"We'll all probably answer that question better (how much have they improved) in about six weeks once they've got a few more games under their belts," he said.
"They've got a tough start, got quite a tough draw.
"But some good signs, good energy and they worked hard."
Latest Comments
Look, we know contradicting opinions and wacky comments bring readers and clicks, so well done to RP for allowing always-wrong-Ben to say something here. However RP needs to put a disclaimer next to his comments for their own credibility. NZ was and is incapable of acknowledging their opp beating them. They refused so with Ire and with Arg in 2022 and also the Boks in 2023 x 2. Nothing Ben says here holds water, NZ attacked backwards, except when Kolisi and Kolbe was off And cyncialy took out Bongi, we played without lineouts for 75mins. Kolisi and Kurt-Lee almost scored twice. Thats 3 vs 2 for Boks, but the Boks opportunities was legal. Boks should have been 16-3 up by half time. Tacticaly the Boks attacked better defended better scrummed better (without a hooker) kicked better and crossed the whitewash more times. Boks beat Fr Eng Nz to win in 23, comeon give some credit at least. Even Federer Verstappen NY Mets, Mamoa, was able to see a great human sport achievement by the Boks and their DNA Boks #RWC27 !🏉
Go to commentsForget the 85kg bit, that can become something else. However I do like the one off test on ANZAC day idea. SR plays Fri/ Sat, test players travel Sunday and the squads have the full week together before playing Saturday. Rest of SR has a week off. Either involve women's teams in same location or in the other country and rotate annually. Herbert is right in that change is needed.
Go to comments