Wallabies lose Brown from Cup back row

[travelling_gerry]

Nick Taylor, Jamie Pandaram
July 28, 2011


Ruled out ... Richard Brown. Photo: Getty Images

The Wallabies' back-row stocks took another blow yesterday after the versatile Richard Brown was ruled out of the World Cup having undergone a shoulder reconstruction.

With Wycliff Palu racing the clock to return from a shoulder injury in time for the tournament, Australia must hope their remaining back-rowers survive the Tri Nations campaign unscathed, or they may be forced to call in debutants for the Cup campaign. Brown, who has 23 Test appearances, would have strongly pushed for a spot in the Cup squad but will be sidelined for up to four months following his operation.

''It hasn't been good for a while. I just wasn't playing as well as I could,'' he said. ''I knew when I hurt myself last year it was going to be hard to make the World Cup. I knew I was going to have to push through to make it but I couldn't push through it any more. I need the operation and that's it. It's best to have it now and get it over with to get ready for next season. I'm disappointed but that's life, I guess.''

Force coach Richard Graham said he was disappointed for Brown. ''Richard has worked hard over the past 17 months to continue to play without the need for the surgery.

''However, there was always going to come a point that he would need to have it done,'' he said. ''It's unfortunate that it will rule him out of World Cup contention.''

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans did not consider Brown for the Tri Nations series because he was under an injury cloud. However, he left the door open by saying he could still have made the World Cup if he recovered.

Brown had scans before the Wallabies named their extended 40-man Tri Nations squad, but after consulting both the Force and Wallabies medical teams, decided that an operation was the best path.

Brown dislocated his right shoulder in the first round of the 2010 season against the Brumbies and sat out the next five games.

He went on to play 15 matches last season and only missed the 13-all draw with the Brumbies at nib Stadium.

Relative newcomers Ben McCalman and Scott Higginbotham are the No.8 options in the absence of Brown and Palu.

Meanwhile, centre Rob Horne will make his return to the field for Southern Districts this weekend after elbow injuries.



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/un...#ixzz1TLWpYc9X

[Tazzmania]

Feel for Brownie, he is a real hard grafter and ground his place into the Wallaby team, may be hard to get back in, but I am sure he will give it his normal full on effort .

Any news on where his contract talks with the Force are for next year, we really need blokes like this to stay with us.