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'We wouldn't even dare consider him for this week': Lee Blackett issues update on injured Wasps duo Kibirige and Barbeary
Lee Blackett has given an update on injured pair Zach Kibirige and Alfie Barbeary, admitting that Wasps expect to be without them for the next while as they continue the twin-pronged campaign in the Gallagher Premiership and European Champions Cup.
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Kibirige was stretchered off at the AJ Bell Stadium with a horror head injury with twelve minutes remaining in the Premiership win over Sale, while Barbeary departed earlier in the same game with a syndesmosis that could yet require surgery depending on what prognosis a specialist gives to the young Wasps forward on Wednesday.
“Alfie has got a syndesmosis injury. He will see the specialist Wednesday so we will know more from then,” said Blackett at his weekly media conference on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s visit to the Ricoh by Exeter, the side that defeated Wasps in last October’s Premiership final at Twickenham. “Whenever you hear that (ankle) injury it’s not the greatest but it’s not out and out disaster.
“Zach is recovering pretty well considering how big a head blow (it was). We wouldn’t even dare consider him for this week. We’re just going to have to see how he goes and monitor him for the next few weeks.
“He was on the bed for a fair bit. I spoke to him 15, 20 minutes after the incident. He was still on the bed then but by the time I came down from doing media he was walking around the changing rooms pretending he was alright. With any of this, especially with what is going on at the moment, it is really important we do the right thing for Zach in this instance and we won’t be rushing him back whatsoever.”
Finding the gap 👀 @atkinsonc_ darts through to score his first #GallagherPrem try for @WaspsRugby in Round 4⃣ 🐝
What did you make of the visitors' performance? 🏉
Highlights and full match replay ➡ https://t.co/EscVBcLRBY pic.twitter.com/pZq6hJaEII
— Premiership Rugby (@premrugby) December 28, 2020
Returning to Barbeary, the hooker who has been starring in recent weeks at back row, Blackett added that he had no qualms with how the youngster sustained the injury at the breakdown in Sale, adding that the setback will at least open the door for someone else to hopefully impress in the coming months.
“It’s a rugby incident. I have got no issues. Unfortunately, it just happens,” he said before switching to the potential severity of the injury. “It’s hard to know because there are still question marks here in terms of will he need surgery. If he needs surgery it will be a fraction longer than that [six to eight weeks]. If he doesn’t you’re probably around the right point. It’s a guessing game here until he sees a specialist which he is due to do Wednesday. We will know a lot more Wednesday night what is happening.
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“Like any player, he will be frustrated. I have been really pleased with Alfie recently. He has got better and better. He has had big impacts in terms of the game. Disappointing for Alfie but what we have got to do – and I spoke to him this morning [Tuesday] – is he has got to make sure he comes back a better player when he comes back.
“However long he is out for we just have to make sure he comes back better than he left us. It also opens up an opportunity for someone else to come in and do well. Tom Willis came on for him at the weekend. It will give Tom some more game time. Disappointing for Alfie but it will open the door for someone else.”
Mike Umaga has spoken about his son Jacob's involvement in recent England training camps#AutumnNationsCup #ENGvFRAhttps://t.co/bmDehVXh6Y
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) December 3, 2020
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Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
13 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
13 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
13 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
13 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
13 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments