Welsh duo of Dan Lydiate and James Hook set to miss Rugby World Cup match against Fiji
The Wales national Rugby Union team suffered a major setback after their first choice duo of Dan Lydiate and back James Hook are confirmed to miss their final 2011 Rugby World Cup’s (RWC) final pool game against Fiji.
Wales and Fiji will take each other on during a Pool D encounter on Sunday, October 2 at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton. Wales’ medical team head, Prav Mathema, has confirmed the non-availability of the players for their upcoming weekend encounter on Wednesday,
September 28.
The duo sustained injuries during Wales encounter against Samoa at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton on Sunday, September 18.
Welsh international flanker Dan Lydiate sustained an injury to his ankle against Samoa. Mathema has expressed his confidence that Lydiate will recover within the next two weeks and will be fully fit and available for Wales for their quarter-final encounter.
Providing updates on his recovery, Mathema confirmed that Lydiate is now running. He added, “He has been incredibly diligent with his rehab and his self-management and as a consequence has given himself every opportunity to be available for selection within
the next two weeks.”
Neath born James Hook is also recovering from a shoulder injury, which he sustained during Wales pool D encounter against Samoa.
Providing the updates on Hook’s injury, Mathema has expressed his satisfaction with the progress the utility back has made to the path to recovery. Mathema has expressed his confidence that the 27-year-old will be able to participate in full training by
the start of next week and will be available for selection in Wales' quarterfinal game.
Wales will play their quarter-final match on Saturday, October 8.
The duo share 62 caps and 320 points between them. However, Hook is the senior partner among the two with his 56 international appearances and 320 points for Wales. Besides this, he provides them the flexibility in backs as he can play at fullback, centre
and fly half positions.
Wales’ objective to reach the knockout stage of the RWC will become simplified if the Springboks deny Samoa a single point in their upcoming clash on Friday, September 30.
Tags: