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'I don't really know what's happening': Force star battles through Achilles injury
Western Force hooker Folau Fainga’a continues to battle an Achilles tendon injury and will take things day by day in a bid to play through the Super Rugby Pacific campaign.
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Achilles pain resulted in Fainga’a being a late scratching from the round-four defeat to the Highlanders in Invercargill, but the star Wallaby returned for last week’s 30-17 loss to the Blues.
The 27-year-old is expected to feature in Sunday’s clash with the second-placed Hurricanes in Palmerston North, but said his Achilles issue is still hanging around.
“I don’t really know what’s happening with it just yet,” Fainga’a told reporters.
“We are just taking it day by day and just treating it as it goes.
“It’s one thing where it could be good today, and then waking up tomorrow it could be sore.
“We’ve got an awesome team here, the physiotherapist and our doctors, doing an awesome job keeping me updated and up to speed in terms of what I can do outside of the footy pitch to keep me on the field.”
The Force are aiming to finish their tough three-match NZ tour on a high, but they face an almighty task to topple a powerful Hurricanes unit laden with star players.
The Hurricanes rested All Blacks trio Tyrel Lomax, Dane Coles and Jordie Barrett last week, but they were still able to thump Moana Pasifika 59-0 in a brutal nine-try display.
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Force centre Sam Spink, who returned from a hamstring injury last week, is embracing the challenge.
“One of the main things I was intrigued about with Super Rugby and excited to get over here for was for those kind of those challenges,” the Englishman said.
“You look at some of the stars and names around the comp, and they’re All Blacks, they’re Wallabies, they’re some of the most exciting players in the world.
“To challenge myself against some of the best players who can beat people (in attack) is only going to improve my game defensively.
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“It’s a stacked (Hurricanes) backline to come up against, and I’m looking forward to ripping in.”
Spink is glad fellow Englishman Zach Kibirige, who has been playing on the wing, has joined him at the Force.
“He’s a mouthy bugger to be honest,” Spink said.
“He doesn’t stop talking all game, which is exactly what you need from the outside.
“He encourages me to feed on that information and keep talking to the people inside me.
“The louder he is, the more information I have from what’s outside me, whether that be in attack or defence.
“His comms are pretty great, and I’ve seen that rub off on other people in the squad.”
The Force could be bolstered by the return of Wallabies prop Tom Robertson from concussion.
Comments on RugbyPass
The pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
5 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
5 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
5 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
5 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
5 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to comments