Reds turn to NZ veteran Ralph amid injury woes
Source: Agencies |
June 16, 2011, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Queensland Reds have plumbed the depths of club rugby to replenish their injury-depleted side and plucked out 33-year-old former All Black winger Caleb Ralph for Saturday's final-round Super 15 match against the Waikato Chiefs.
Outside back Ralph, who has been plying his trade with Queensland's Sunshine Coast Stingrays for the past two years at the lower club level, has been named as a replacement against the Chiefs in Hamilton as the Reds seek to stitch up top spot for a favorable run in the playoffs.
Should Ralph take the field at Waikato Stadium, he would equal former Wallabies flyhalf George Gregan as the second-most capped Super rugby player with 136 games. Former Red Sean Hardman holds the record with 148.
A try would also see Ralph join retired Auckland Blues back Doug Howlett as the most prolific try-scorer in the southern hemisphere provincial tournament with 59.
With a torn hamstring putting winger Luke Morahan on a bloated injury list with Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa and Ben Lucas, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said the 14-test All Black could provide the Reds with some steel against the New Zealand side. "At this stage of our campaign we are looking for an experienced outside back and Caleb fits the bill," McKenzie said. "He is a veteran who has no doubt played many times against the Chiefs in Hamilton and therefore we think he's a good fit."
Ralph debuted for New Zealand against England in 1998 and was a member of the All Blacks' 2003 World Cup squad. He played 126 games for the Crusaders from 1999 to 2008 after stints at the Chiefs and the Blues.
Outside back Ralph, who has been plying his trade with Queensland's Sunshine Coast Stingrays for the past two years at the lower club level, has been named as a replacement against the Chiefs in Hamilton as the Reds seek to stitch up top spot for a favorable run in the playoffs.
Should Ralph take the field at Waikato Stadium, he would equal former Wallabies flyhalf George Gregan as the second-most capped Super rugby player with 136 games. Former Red Sean Hardman holds the record with 148.
A try would also see Ralph join retired Auckland Blues back Doug Howlett as the most prolific try-scorer in the southern hemisphere provincial tournament with 59.
With a torn hamstring putting winger Luke Morahan on a bloated injury list with Digby Ioane, Anthony Faingaa and Ben Lucas, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said the 14-test All Black could provide the Reds with some steel against the New Zealand side. "At this stage of our campaign we are looking for an experienced outside back and Caleb fits the bill," McKenzie said. "He is a veteran who has no doubt played many times against the Chiefs in Hamilton and therefore we think he's a good fit."
Ralph debuted for New Zealand against England in 1998 and was a member of the All Blacks' 2003 World Cup squad. He played 126 games for the Crusaders from 1999 to 2008 after stints at the Chiefs and the Blues.
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