Force lose Rodda as injury crisis deepens resulting in call to former fringe Crusaders prop
Western Force coach Simon Cron says Izack Rodda’s untimely quad injury is hard on the team, and he’ll take a careful approach with the star Wallabies lock.
Rodda was initially named for last week’s clash with the Hurricanes, but he was forced to withdraw after injuring himself at training just two days before the game.
The 27-year-old, who has been sidelined for most of the past 18 months due to stress fractures in his right foot, won’t be available for Friday night’s clash in Melbourne or next week’s encounter with the ACT Brumbies.
Rodda is also unlikely to return for the home matches against Moana Pasifika (March 15) or the Queensland Reds (March 23).
“It’s hard on him, and hard on the team,” Cron said.
“They’re talking about that time (of three to four weeks). You’ve just got to take it one week at a time with Izack, and make sure he’s getting better each week.”
Rodda’s injury adds to a growing casualty ward.
Prop Marley Pearce broke his nose last week while attempting a tackle that also resulted in him copping a four-match suspension.
Fellow Force props Siosifa Amone (thumb, 5-7 weeks), Harry Hoopert (knee, 3-4 months) and Angus Wagner (knee, first half of the season) are also missing.
Lock Felix Kalapu (hamstring, first half of the season) and playmaker Reesjan Pasitoa (elbow, 9-11 weeks) are also among the walking wounded.
The situation in the front row is so bad, Cron has been forced to sign former fringe Crusaders and Chiefs prop Ryan Coxon on an injury-replacement contract.
Coxon has been rushed straight into the starting side as a replacement for Pearce.
“We’ve got three (props) down at the moment,” Cron said.
“You’ve always got to be smart as coaches when you’re tracking (options) No.4 and No.5.
“With Ryan coming in, we knew about him, we were watching him, we just didn’t think we’d have to put him in this quickly.
“We looked around everywhere and he’s probably the most suited to getting in at Super Rugby right now.”
Cron said former All Blacks prop Atu Moli was getting close to playing.
“Atu’s training really well. He’s doing great stuff at tighthead for us,” Cron said.
“It’s just (about) continuing his running loads.
“We think at the moment though he’s really close to being at his best, and we want to make sure he gets there before we play him.”
New captain Jeremy Williams, who missed the 44-14 loss to the Hurricanes due to concussion, returns against the Rebels.
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
5 Go to comments