James O’Connor to miss Western Force’s match against Highlanders on Friday – Super Rugby news
The Western Force star, James O’Connor, will miss out another match of Super Rugby due to an injury to his shoulder. The fly-half sustained the shoulder injury during their previous match against the Hurricanes on Friday, May 27. The Western Force coach,
Graham Henry told the media today on May 30, that the star has been rested for their tough upcoming match against the Super Rugby table toppers, Queensland Reds.
20-year-old James O’Connor is a formidable part of the Force since he joined the derby in 2008. He has participated in 25 games for Force and earned 131 points for his side. The fly-half has got a unique style of playing and has asserted his place in the
side on various positions. He started off as a fullback and has been tested on variety of positions. He has played as inside centre, wing, fullback and now as a fly-half.
The team selectors have rested O’Connor for the Queensland Reds clash despite large scale injuries to their players. Recently three major players other than O’Connor have been suffering from various injuries. Willie Ripia is out due to a calf injury, whereas
Gene Fairbanks and Brett Sheehan sustained injuries on their legs.
The Force coach, Graham Henry, told the media about his team to go in their next clash against the Highlanders. He said, “I'm not bringing any of the (injured) boys over. All of them are there thereabouts in terms of fitness but by the time they get over
here they would only get to train with us at the captain's run. If you bring one or two in that would compromise the whole squad.”
He further said that, "Definitely they will all be fit and come back in contention for our game against the Reds on June 11. It's important to reward the group for their performance (against the Hurricanes), albeit we didn't get the result we were after."
The Western Force would take on the Highlanders on June 3 in their next clash of Super Rugby.
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