Gerrard to head home

[frontrow]

http://news.rugbyheaven.com.au/knee-...71909-xz2.html

Interesting comments at end of article regarding Japans scheduling, 4 days rest till they play Fiji.....Not too fair really, kirwin is right to be upset....

[JediKnight]

Solid Wallaby performance, shame about Gerrard though.

There's no point Kirwan bleating about the draw/schedule now......these comments should've been made when the draw was announced rather than once the tournament has started.

[Jess]

I'm crossing my fingers that this means Sheps will get the call up! God I hope he does.

[Skiza]

Bummer, that'd suck for Gerrard...preparing for so long and then bye-bye in a match in which they were cruising...at least he should be around the next RWC i suppose

Mmmm, wonder if they'll bring sheps in? At least Stanners should get a good go now!!!!!!!!

[The EnForcer]

Surely Shep is next in line now he's back to fitness.

[JediKnight]

Are they allowed to bring in additional players to the squad? I thought that once the tournament started, the only additional players that could be added would be for specialist positions (ie front rows) in the event of injury.

[Skiza]

Are they allowed to bring in additional players to the squad? I thought that once the tournament started, the only additional players that could be added would be for specialist positions (ie front rows) in the event of injury.

Yea i thought that too...guess we'll find out! I think the Wallabies have more than enough backs to cover Gerrard's position in the team though, so they shouldnt have too much bother having one less back to draw from (as the other backs in the squad are quality players).

[Jehna]

That totally sucks for Gerrard but on the plus side it means that Mitchell won't have to compete for game time against him and I think he once again showed last night how versatile he is and what an asset to the game he is.

I'm not sure why they had Gerrard on the bench in the first place. I mean we had line up which had four wingers, but we didn't have a back up outside centre! They had freaking tuqiri playing outside! Why wasn't Stanners there? At least he could also play wing if need be...

If I was Gerrard I'd want to stay...i mean you've gone all that way...sucks to be him

[Jehna]

Just read this....looks like we may be allowed a replacement. And i say with Sheps form in the ARC for the last two weeks it could be a sign of good things
__________________________________________________ _______________

Gerrard to be sent home

From Jim Morton in Lyon, France
September 09, 2007

MARK Gerrard will take no further part in the Rugby World Cup after rupturing the medial ligament in his left knee during Australia's 91-3 thumping of Japan today.

Gerrard sustained the injury as he made his first touch of the game as a 68th-minute replacement for captain Stirling Mortlock.

Gerrard could be seen thumping the ground in frustration, as he was tended to by team trainers, as the realisation dawned that his Rugby World Cup could be over.

Gerrard will not need to undergo surgery to repair the injury, but he will be sent home to Australia in the coming days.

Versatile Western Force wing-full back Shepherd seems to be the most likely replacement.

Australia coach John Connolly said his shortlist was down to Clinton Schifcofske, Digby Ioane, Shepherd and Lachlan Turner.

"We've got people on our shortlist back home and we'll probably check their (Australian Rugby Championship) form first, " Connolly said when asked about replacement players.

Connolly said that Gerrard heard a click in his knee on the point of impact.

"He was hit from the side and was twisted and he did hear a click which was his first touch of the ball," he said.

- with Agence France-Presse

AAP

[Jess]

Wonder when they'll make the announcement... better make in snappy to give the chosen candidate enough time to pack their bags, travel, get over jet lag and do some training with the squad.

I bet Sheps already has his bags packed just in case.

[James]

Good luck to him I say, I have a feeling since Connolly is as red as a tomato and NSW will put pressure on to bring out Lachie Turner he might end up being overlooked. Which admittedly sucks big time- but at least we would still have him for the ARC and if the injury list is as bad as it sounds we'd be pretty crippled to lose him.

[blueandblack]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/vote/default.htm

Everyone go there and vote for Sheps! (not that the Wallaby management will take any notice)

[blindsid3]

Didn't Digby break his hand tackling Rodzilla a couple of weeks ago? He was not on the paddock on Saturday against the spirit; that can't be good for his selection hopes.

[benny]

We dont want shep to go.. i want to be selfish and keep him for the SPIRIT.. jimmys over there...

Am i hearing things (i mean about connolly's comments before kick off) the team is the strongest team on paper what the wallabies can pick as the players are picked on form, if thats the case, why is Tuqiri on the field for with his "2" tries in super 14 this year and ashley cooper-smith still looking like he is learning the game - as well as throwing the game as full back in the bledsioe cup. Pick Shep (its hard for me to say, as i want him in the force / spirit colors), and where is rathbone gone ?

cheers all... still want the wallabies do well - well connolly goes !!

[James]

Rathbone has shin splints I think. He is out for the rest of the year. It's one of those things with wings. I don't rate Tuqiri but if you think about it every young winger does really well in their first season and they don't always follow it up in the 2nd and you have to ask why (Drew Mitchell for example). Other teams identify Tuqiri as a strong running player who needs a fair bit of attention. He gets the attention so he doesn't get as many opportunities. A new winger who is an unknown quantity isn't watched as much and gets more opportunities (and can usually run faster being younger). Since he also is bigger and stronger than the likes of Sheps, Mitchell and AAC he also takes more tacklers to bring him down which means a higher chance of an overlap for someone else. I think Tuqiri's contributions over the last year have been underrated, that said he is a selfish, egocentric git. I'm putting my money on Lachie Turner having a rubbish season next year.

I do think that the big smudge on his paper of the strongest team is the big Baxter who can't even scrummage against Japan- but lets not get into that anymore.