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I know some people won't care for this thread because he is from the Reds but its Latho and he might not play for Australia again and I care.
Latham robbed of Tahs swan song
Bret Harris | May 12, 2008
WALLABIES fullback Chris Latham's career in Australian rugby appears to be over after he sustained a chest injury which is expected to sideline him for three months.
While it is not known exactly how long Latham, 32, will be out until the results of scans today, it is unlikely he would be available again until midway through the Tri-Nations series.
Brumbies fullback Mark Gerrard is now the favourite to wear the gold No15 jersey against Ireland for the opening Test of the year in Melbourne on June 14.
Western Force fullback Cameron Shepherd will also be a contender, but Gerrard would seem more likely because of his superior ball-handling skills.
Latham, who will leave Australia at the end of the year to play for English club Worcester, tore his right pectoral muscle (how on Earth did he manage that?)in Queensland Reds' 27-21 loss to the Crusaders in Brisbane on Saturday night. The injury leaves Latham on 99 Super games for Queensland, denying him the opportunity to celebrate his 100-cap milestone against the old enemy, the Waratahs, in Brisbane on Saturday night.
It was Latham's first game back from a knee injury which had kept him out for several weeks and he was desperate to end his Super career against the Waratahs.
Latham was forced off just 13 minutes into the game after hurting himself in a tackle a few minutes earlier. Despite the severe pain he had bravely tried to play on. What an absolute champ!
"That's the end of one of the greatest careers in the Queensland jersey," Reds coach Phil Mooney said in tribute to Latham, who began his Super career with the Waratahs a decade ago.
"Unfortunately, not everyone gets the fairytale send-off."
After battling with Matt Burke and Mat Rogers for the Wallabies' fullback position, Latham had established himself as Australia's premier No15, which included starting at the 2007 World Cup in France.
He will be sorely missed in Australian Rugby.
* Tickets for Australia's Tests against Ireland (Melbourne), South Africa (Perth), France and New Zealand (Sydney) go on sale tomorrow. Tickets for Tests in Brisbane against New Zealand and France go on sale on Wednesday.