The story appears on

Page A16

September 24, 2011

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

HomeSportsRugby

Wallabies win big but injuries mount

AUSTRALIA coach Robbie Deans faces a severe injury crisis, particularly in the midfield backs, after his side put its surprise loss to Ireland behind it with a 67-5 victory over the United States yesterday.

Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper scored three tries in seven minutes in the second half for the Wallabies, who had been heavily criticized for their 6-15 loss to Ireland last week, but showed yesterday how dangerous they can be when allowed to control the pace of the game.

Australia ran in 11 tries - several from more than 50 meters out - at Wellington Regional Stadium but Deans faces injury concerns with centre Anthony Faingaa knocked unconscious in the final minute of the Pool C encounter, while fellow midfield backs Rob Horne has a fractured cheek bone and Pat McCabe dislocated his shoulder.

Fullback Kurtley Beale also "tightened up" and was replaced shortly before halftime, while No. 8 Wycliff Palu also had to come off with a hamstring complaint. "It's pretty extensive, the full extent we don't know," Deans told reporters after the match that ended with replacement No. 8 Radike Samo playing on the wing.

"We may have (to call people into the squad), we will have to see what the medics say. We have an eight day turnaround and ...we will wait until we have learned the full extent of it before we make any decisions."

Concerns

The injuries add to the concerns over Digby Ioane (thumb) and David Pocock (back), who were not considered for the US match while James O'Connor (hamstring) and captain James Horwill (shoulder) were given time off to try to recover.

Australia now plays Russia in Nelson on October 1 and is likely to finish second in the pool and could meet South Africa in the quarterfinals and then New Zealand in the semifinals should both sides make the final four.

Yesterday's match may have pleased Deans with the result and some of the support play and width they achieved, but he will remind the Wallabies they will not get as much quick ball or space against better sides in the knockout phase.

The Tri-Nations champions had a nervous opening five minutes but then scored two electric tries to inside centre Rob Horne and flanker Rocky Elsom after they recycled the ball at lightning pace.

The US then had the better of the next 20 minutes after captain Tim Usasz had broken out from inside his own half that gave them some much needed momentum.

Despite holding out for several minutes, the Wallabies finally broke when US No. 8 J.J. Gagiano exploited a poorly defended blindside from an attacking scrum to bring the crowd to the feet as he scored the first try against Australia at the tournament so far.

 

Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

娌叕缃戝畨澶 31010602000204鍙

Email this to your friend