Uncapped Wallabies teenager Jordan Petaia hit with pre-World Cup injury scare
World Cup selection bolter Jordan Petaia will return early from the Wallabies camp in New Caledonia with injury and has been ruled out of next week's Test against Samoa.
Uncapped 19-year-old Petaia will have to wait until the World Cup in Japan to make his international debut after injuring his hamstring during a tackling drill early in the team's 10-day camp in Noumea.
It continues a dreadful run of luck with injuries for one of the sport's rising stars, having also suffered a hamstring injury days out from what would have been a maiden Wallabies appearance against Italy last November.
The Queensland Reds outside centre missed nearly all of this year's Super Rugby season with a foot injury suffered in round three yet still earned a World Cup call-up because of his raw attacking potential.
Petaia was to fly home on Wednesday for further treatment and while the injury isn't deemed serious, he won't be risked in the pre-tournament hit out against Samoa in Sydney on September 7.
It is likely he will rejoin the squad in Noumea but not train fully with the team.
Petaia became the 10th uncapped player to make an Australian World Cup squad when it was unveiled last Friday.
Elsewhere, the Wallabies' numbers were boosted by the arrival of winger Marika Koroibete, who missed the opening days of the camp to attend to a family matter in Melbourne.
Two train-on players who missed World Cup selection - Waratahs pair Nick Phipps and Harry Johnson-Holmes - were to also join the group this week.
Former Wallabies great George Gregan had been working primarily with the halfbacks and on attacking skills but was to return to Australia on Wednesday.
A Wallabies spokesperson said the camp had been getting the most out of the players, with some fitness and training sessions starting from 6am.
AAP
In other news:
Latest Comments
This is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
Go to comments