Injury blow leaves void for line-ups
JORDAN Petaia’s shoulder injury has sent tremors through the Reds and Wallabies, with the grim outlook sitting somewhere between a four-week break and surgery.
Only scans on Tuesday will reveal the full extent of the damage after Queensland’s brightest young gun was grounded by a collision injury at training in Argentina.
Being forced out of the Super Rugby clash against the Jaguares in Buenos Aires tomorrow morning (Qld time) is only the start of the fallout.
It’s believed the 19-year-old outside centre popped his shoulder on Wednesday when he was tackled towards the end of the heaviest contact session of the Reds’ training week.
Such dislocations are notoriously fickle depending on whether only ligaments have been strained or more major damage has been done to tendons or bone.
Reds coach Brad Thorn is traditionally understated so his comments suggest a grave scenario.
“We’re gutted for Jordan,” Thorn said. “He’ll return home with the squad and be looked at for further diagnosis.”
THE Reds have named 10 Gold Coast talents in their Super W trial squad to play Fiji tomorrow afternoon.
Bond Uni were the best represented club, with Kirby Sefo, Cobie-Jane Morgan, Gabby Senft, Emily Bass, Aleena Greenhalgh and Melanie Wilks in the 28-strong squad.
Griffith University’s AON Uni 7s side was represented by team skipper Kiri Lingman, Ivania Wong, Alana Elisaia and Courtney Hodder.
The Reds will take the field at Ballymore at 3pm.