The News Review:
- Munster hit by Tipoki injury blow
- Tipoki and Munster pay price
- Knee injury to sideline Tipoki
- Johnson’s coaching baptism…
- Success on the menu for Stade
Munster hit by Tipoki injury blow
BBC Sport, UK
The New Zealander injured medial knee ligaments in last week’s 18-16 defeat by the All Blacks at Thomond Park and is likely to be out until mid January. Hooker Jerry Flannery is to have a scan on a knee injury sustained in Ireland’s win over Argentina on Saturday. David Wallace could be fit for Friday’s game against the Scarlets. Wallace left the field on a stretcher with his neck and shoulders in a brace during Ireland’s game against the Pumas but the injury turned out to be bruising.
Tipoki and Munster pay price
Irish Times, Ireland
Tipoki may also miss the final pool stages of the competition in January. It was also confirmed that Irish hooker Jerry Flannery, who hobbled off at Croke Park on Saturday in the first half of Ireland’s game against Argentina, is also doubtful for this week, but the longer-term view will not be known until he undergoes a knee scan in a Dublin hospital, which was expected to take place yesterday. “Rua suffered medial ligament damage and is not expected to return to action until sometime in January,” said Munster manager Payne. Tipoki alongside his regular centre partner Lifeimi Mafi, have added a fresh spirit to Munster’s attacking edge, although in Barry Murphy and Keith Earls the side has ready-made replacements in that position, particularly going forward.
Knee injury to sideline Tipoki
RTE.ie, Ireland
Tipoki injured his medial knee ligaments during the game against New Zealand at Thomond Park last Tuesday night. Munster team manager Shaun payne said: ‘Rua suffered medial ligament damage and is not expected to return to action until sometime in January. ‘
Meanwhile, Ireland and Munster hooker Jerry Flannery will have a further scan on his knee to assess the damage sustained during Ireland’s win over Argentina on Saturday. There was better news for David Wallace, who left the field on a stretcher with his neck and shoulders in a brace, as it was confirmed he only suffered bruising.
Related from Indoorenvirons: Doctors offer no guarantees to NFL players who suffer knee injuries
Johnson’s coaching baptism…
Independent Online, South Africa
And it’s going to take every bit of steel and resolve Johnson showed as a player to lift his fledgling team for Saturday’s Test against the ominous All Blacks who’ve quietly and clinically gone about beating Scotland, Ireland and Wales in successive weeks, and, who like the Boks, will be determined the end the year on a high. It’s quite clear that being part of a losing team is not something the big man is used to, nor is it something he’s likely to tolerate. And while he may have the ignominious distinction of having coached England to their heaviest defeat at home since 1872, Johnson, ironically, is the only one who has the stature and respect to turn this England team around and instill a winning ethos. However, I very much doubt whether it will happen as soon as this weekend.
Success on the menu for Stade
European Rugby Cup, Ireland
Richards was at the helm when Leicester Tigers dominated European rugby at the turn of the millennium and was in charge of the team that went to Paris for the 2001 final and denied Stade the silverware they so desperately seek. Winning the Heineken Cup has become the number one priority for Stade, the beaten finalists again in 2005. Back in 2001 Richards’ Tigers snatched a dramatic win thanks to a late Leon Lloyd try and then the goal kicking of Toulouse’s Frederic Michalak in extra time of the 2005 final means Stade are still waiting to taste the ultimate Heineken Cup success. We have not been able to win this tournament yet, but at the start of every season we always intend to put in 100 per cent.