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'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.
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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.”
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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.
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“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.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments