Wallabies’ number eight Wycliff Palu ruled out from World Cup due to injury – Rugby News
2011 Tri Nations' winning Australia’s Rugby World Cup (RWC) campaign sustained a major blow as injury has ruled out the participation of their first choice number eight, Wycliff Palu, from the tournament. Wallabies head coach, Robbie Deans, has confirmed the exclusion of Palu from their 2011 RWC campaign, on Monday, September 26. Deans made the announcement after carefully analysing the test reports of Palu’s injury.
Earlier, Palu sustained a hamstring injury in the Wallabies weekend encounter against the USA Eagles on Friday at Westpac Stadium, Wellington. Wallabies defeated Eagles 67 - 5 to register their second win of the tournament.
Deans has expressed his disappointment on losing his talented back row forwards player, Palu. He termed the injury as bad luck for the player, which will take a minimum of six weeks to recover. He added, “Unfortunately his previous history of injury in this area has impacted, in terms of lengthening the timelines that are required for his rehabilitation.”
Commenting on his injury, Palu confirmed that the moment he sustained the injury, he was expecting the worst. He added, “When I first did it - I have done that hamstring so many times - I knew I would probably be on the plane back home.”
The 29-year-old Palu has expressed his disappointment on the fact that he will no longer be a part of the Wallabies 2011 RWC squad. He added that following their shocking defeat to Ireland, the team has gelled together very well. He said, “After the weekend I feel the group has come together at the right time and that's going to be the hardest bit for me: not being part of it and being part of the journey.”
The Sydney born Palu made his international debut for the Australian national Rugby Union team in 2006 against the touring English side. He so far has made 38 international appearances for the Wallabies.
Palu was one of the several players, which sustained injuries in Friday’s game against the Eagles. Besides him, Dan Vickerman sustained an injury to his leg, utility backs player Digby Ioane sustained an injury to his thumb, fullback Kurtley Beale sustained a hamstring injury while, centre Pat McCabe sustained a shoulder injury. However, these players have been available for the Wallabies for their quarter-final gamee.
Deans is yet to name the replacement for Palu in the Wallabies 30-man RWC squad. He has revealed that he will take the decision with respect to the replacement player, following their last pool match of the 2011 RWC tournament against Russia.
Wallabies will take on Russia at Trafalgar Park, Nelson on Saturday, October 1.
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