Palu in doubt for Spring tour

[lara93]

http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/sport...0914-4g26.html

Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu is in serious doubt for Australia's end-of-season tour due to a knee injury sustained in Saturday night's Tri-Nations decider at Suncorp Stadium.

The Wallabies lost the barnstorming Palu just before halftime in the 28-24 defeat to the All Blacks following a medial ligament strain.

Coach Robbie Deans reported Palu had suffered a grade two strain, making him "touch and go" for the six-match Spring Tour which kicks off with a Bledisloe Cup Test in Hong Kong on November 1.

New Zealand ensured they will retain the trans-Tasman trophy with their four-tries-to-three win which gives them a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series.

Australia's 33-man tour squad will be announced on September 23 and they will have four training camps in Sydney where Deans hopes to improve skill execution and technique to take them to the next level.

Western Force back-rower Richard Brown, who enjoyed a rugged Test debut off the bench, looms as Palu's potential replacement at the back of the scrum for the tour.

© 2008 A

[prop003]

palu will be missed a great ball runner but browny proved himself the minute he hit the field what a game

[gustafsl]

Palu was probably only going to get a bench spot at best. So no big loss. Hopefully McMenimum doesn't get picked either, he is horrible. Really don't know why he came on last night instead of Waugh.

[robyn <3]

dare i say... brown?

[laura]

Yes! Dare away!!
It will be sad to see Palu go, he has been playing strong rugby, but Brownie had a fantastic debut, within the first 6 seconds he had the ball and he was always right in the thick of it. On hand when AAC and Crossy scored their tries and I don't think he could have asked for anything better (except maybe 5 more points).

[GIGS20]

Lot of people here seem to have forgot the character of Cliffy's service to the Let's not forget that he has been a devastating ball runner and overwhelming force in defence for at least two of his 18 caps every other game he's either gotten injured or been strangely absent.

Browny on the other hand is a young go-getter who has been given a golden elevator with the ELVs, he was transformed from a versatile backrower on the fringe to possibly the best #8 in oz at the moment. Cliffy didn't do a helluva lot when he got hurt and I was quite happy that Deansey had his mind made up for him.
If we had seen Phil Waugh at about 65 minutes and Drew Mitchell at about 70 we would have won that game!

[Vacuous Fangirl]

brown is lyk soooooooo much more haaaaaawwwwwwtttttt

[lara93]

agreed

[robyn <3]

Lot of people here seem to have forgot the character of Cliffy's service to the Let's not forget that he has been a devastating ball runner and overwhelming force in defence for at least two of his 18 caps every other game he's either gotten injured or been strangely absent.

Browny on the other hand is a young go-getter who has been given a golden elevator with the ELVs, he was transformed from a versatile backrower on the fringe to possibly the best #8 in oz at the moment. Cliffy didn't do a helluva lot when he got hurt and I was quite happy that Deansey had his mind made up for him.
If we had seen Phil Waugh at about 65 minutes and Drew Mitchell at about 70 we would have won that game!

brown was an example of what our bench was like! outstanding!!! they should have all come out just after the kiwis had they bench brought on. cliffy was also the one with stirlo that had the card threat waved at him.. i think brownie will get the starting jumper in hong kong.
the only reason i can see cliffy getting the nod ahead of brown is the size of the big guy! palu is massive and it takes about 3 blokes to bring him down as a ball runner, opening the gap for other people. brownie doesnt have the size, but at the breakdown and scrum i think brownie was better. he worked waay better with grandpa cords too..

also sheenan on for grandpa cords round 60 or something.

we could have taken both trophies. and we should have...