Crock Hill may have to fly home
CORY HILL could be flown home from the World Cup this week after struggling to recover from an ankle injury. The Wales lock, 27, has not played since hurting the ankle in the Six Nations win over England in March. He was taken to Japan in the hope that he would recover in time for Sunday’s game against Australia. Hill has spent time in oxygen tents to try to speed up his recovery — but there is renewed doubt he will make it. ‘If he doesn’t return to fitness, he’ll go back to the UK,’ said Wales head coach Warren Gatland, who will call up 32-year-old Bradley Davies if Hill is ruled out. ‘We’re going to assess him and see what sort of progress he’s made,’ Gatland added. ‘If it’s not good news, he’ll go back. If they think he can recover, then he’ll stay out.’ Forwards coach Robin McBryde said: ‘Bradley would be the natural choice because he’s spent that time with us.’ Meanwhile, Georgia head coach Milton Haig bemoaned Los Lelos’ lack of Test experience after their defeat. The New Zealander, who has coached Georgia for eight years, said: ‘The Six Nations is vital for us. You can’t expect us to come to a World Cup and produce miracles if we don’t play more Tier 1 games. ‘We are not used to playing at this speed — 29 points conceded in the first half shows that if we make a mistake, good teams like this will kill you. I have constantly been beating the drum. Will we get more Tests? I am not sure. ‘It doesn’t happen because of the schedule which is arranged 10 years in advance. Small boys like us scramble for the scraps. ‘Georgia needs to have at least four matches a year to play against these Tier 1 teams. Then we can be competitive.’ Georgia played just six Tests against Tier 1 nations between this World Cup and the last one.