'Big relief': Force flanker to be released from hospital

Western Force flanker Ollie Callan is expected to be released from hospital on Monday after being cleared of a severe neck injury.

Callan was rushed to hospital on Saturday night after injuring his neck while making a tackle in the opening minute of the 30-17 win over the Highlanders.

It’s unclear whether the 22-year-old will be able to play again this Super Rugby Pacific season, but he has at least been cleared of serious damage.

“We’re glad the worst-case scenarios have been ruled out and he’s in good spirits,” Force captain Michael Wells told reporters on Monday.

“The boys have made as much contact as we can. We’ve heard from the physio staff that he’s pretty stir crazy in (hospital); he was telling everyone that he’s fine.

“It’s a big relief for everyone, because Ollie is a big part of the team.

“When you see someone go down and get stretchered off, everyone thinks worst-case scenario.

“So it’s nice to know that didn’t happen. I’m pretty sure we’ll be seeing him in the building (on Tuesday) with the neck brace.

“The banter between the boys will start pretty quickly, and Ollie isn’t one to take it lying down either.”

Winger Toni Pulu is set to miss several weeks with concussion, ruling him out of Saturday night’s match against Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.

Pulu’s head slammed into the turf early in last week’s win over the Highlanders, and his history of head knocks means the Force will take a careful approach.

Zach Kibirige (hamstring) is a chance to replace Pulu.

The Force were thumped 71-20 when they faced the Reds in round two, with the heavy loss coming just a week after Simon Cron’s men opened their season with a fighting win over the Rebels.

“It was a skill set versus mindset question for us,” Wells said of the 51-point loss to the Reds.

“We’ve got the skillset, we didn’t perform last time against the Reds because we didn’t have the proper mindset.

“We had a bad training week because guys were complacent, they felt like we’d won a game, we were pretty confident in ourselves.

“It’s taken that reality check, and I’m glad we took it in round two rather than having it now.”

The Force moved from 11th to eighth on the ladder with the win over the Highlanders and can leapfrog the sixth-placed Reds with a win this weekend.