Stephen Ferris out of New Zealand tour – Rugby News Update
Stephen Ferris, the 26-year-old Ulster and Ireland back-row will miss his country’s tour of New Zealand this summer, as they play a three-match test series against the All Blacks.
His career has been ravaged by injuries, having missed tournaments previously due to niggles, and yet again he will not be able to feature due to an injury he picked up against Leinster in the final of the Heineken Cup. Leinster won the tie 42-14, and with it they were able to secure back-to-back titles.
It is expected that Kevin McLaughlin will replace the back-row in the Irish team, but the final squad will be announced after Ireland plays the Barbarians on Tuesday.
"Kevin McLaughlin narrowly missed out on selection for the original 29-man squad named earlier this week, but steps up into the touring party in place of Stephen Ferris, who has been ruled out due to a calf injury sustained in the Heineken Cup final," a statement read.
Ferris, the 6’4 is known to enjoy the physical side of the game and he is never afraid to throw himself in the thick of battle. These are the qualities that a team needs to beat the All Blacks, the World Champions, and the back-row will be duly missed by his team.
Ferris represented Ireland at age-grade level and in 2006 he was named Ulster’s Player of the Year. He made his Ireland debut against Pacific Islanders at Lansdowne Road, on November 26, 2006. Since then he has only managed to make 35 appearances for Ireland, starting 30 of those and coming on as a substitute a further 5 times.
Ferris has been unlucky with injuries. In 2007, after the tour of Argentina he underwent the knife but returned to take part in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but having not played at the tournament, he underwent another surgery the same year. He was selected in the 2008 for British and Irish Lions’ tour of South Africa but yet again he missed out due to an injury.
He did manage to play the 2011 Rugby World Cup and was one of the outstanding players for his team. If he had been fit, he would certainly have more international caps.
Tags: