Bad shoulder may beat Holmes

By Jim Tucker, Courier Mail/Fox Sports
February 28, 2007


AUSTRALIA prop Greg Holmes is facing the grim prospect of having his Rugby World Cup dream ruined by a shoulder reconstruction.

The Queensland forward was examined by a surgeon yesterday, and he will see another specialist today to determine the best way forward in treatment for his troublesome left shoulder joint.

The shoulder has shown little improvement since he suffered a partial dislocation when making a jolting tackle on Brumbies lock Mark Chisholm at Suncorp Stadium on February 17.

Holmes carried a niggling problem in the shoulder through much of Super 14 last year, but he toughed the season out to play a full 13-game campaign.

"We're still in need of more advice on the shoulder," Reds coach Eddie Jones said.

Surgery would be a numbing blow to the Reds and the Wallabies after the progress the athletic Holmes, 23, has made in his 11-Test career.

Australia team doctor Martin Raftery is due in Brisbane on Friday to conduct medicals on Queensland's key Wallabies.

Jones said that high-impact lock Hugh McMeniman ran at "60-70 per cent" on his damaged ankle yesterday.

Jones suggested that McMeniman could be a surprise bench weapon against the Lions at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night if he backed up with more running this week.

"We'll do what is best for the player," Jones said.