Ireland’s Rugby World Cup first choice hooker Rory Best may be ruled out due to injury
Ireland national Rugby Union team’s 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) quarter-finals preparations suffered a blow as their first choice front row forwards player, Rory Best, is probably ruled out with an injury.
Ireland’s team manager, Paul McNaughton, has anticipated the sidelining of Best from their upcoming quarter-final encounter against their European rivals, on Monday, October 3. Ireland will play against Wales in hopes of making their place in the top four
of the tournament.
Best sustained an injury to this shoulder in Ireland’s last pool match against Italy at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin on Sunday, October 2. He hurt the AC joint in his right shoulder during Ireland’s 36-6 victory over the Azzurri’s, which helped them to
secure a place in the last eight of the tournament.
McNaughton said, “Rory's doubtful for the weekend but we haven't written him off just yet. We will assess it tomorrow and have more information then. He's definitely doubtful.”
Elaborating further, McNaughton added that Best is currently getting treatment. He added if the injury shows any sign of improvement by this method, it will be visible after the tomorrow morning’s treatment.
Best’s injury has further depleted Ireland’s hooker resources. Earlier in the tournament, Ireland lost their star international front row forward, Jerry Flannery as the player sustained a tournament ending calf injury.
If Best does not play in the match it will be a major loss for the Irish squad. Best was simply phenomenal as he made most of the opportunity at hand when he was on the field and helped his team reach the quarter-final stages of the tournament.
Commenting on Best’s performance in the tournament, McNaughton added, “Rory has been playing fantastic rugby and it would be a blow if he's not available. But we have two hookers out here and back up in Ireland if we need it. Other teams have had injury
problems and we must get on with it.”
Ireland were involved in the first upset of the 2011 RWC tournament, as they defeated the 2011 Tri Nations champions, Wallabies, in their pool C encounter. Ireland is yet to name a substitute player for the injured hooker in their 30-man RWC squad.
http://www.espnscrum.com/2011-rugby-world-cup/rugby/story/151086.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
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