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Bristol reveal 'season-ending' operation for Radradra this week

(Photo by Pat Scaasi/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Bristol boss Pat Lam has confirmed that Semi Radradra is set to undergo knee surgery for the second time in six months, bringing a premature end to his 2021/22 season with the Gallagher Premiership club. It was October when the Fijian midfielder was initially sidelined with a knee injury that required an operation and that put the start of his season on hold. 

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It was originally described as a potential four-month layoff but the setback only kept him out until the start of December. However, it has now been revealed by Bristol that Radradra will have a procedure on his other knee this week and won’t be involved again until the start of the 2022/23 campaign.  

“Unfortunately Semi is having knee surgery this week so that is season-ending for him which gives him a good chance to rehab, recoup and be ready for the start of next season which will be a positive for him,” explained Lam on Wednesday about Radradra at his weekly Bristol media briefing. 

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Zach Mercer – Life in Montpellier & England Ambitions | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 30

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Zach Mercer – Life in Montpellier & England Ambitions | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 30

The decision to go for an operation this week and not at the end of the season was accelerated by last Friday’s exit by the Bears from the Heineken Champions Cup. “It’s the other knee but the beauty about it is it will be cleaned up by Jonathan Webb (the ex-England full-back who is now a knee surgeon) and then be ready to go for next season. That was the thing (with exiting Europe), it was time to get it done, to be ready for next season).”

The Bristol casualty list didn’t end there this week, however, as Lam added that England tighthead Kyle Sinckler will be kept out of the action for the next while, Siva Naulago was undergoing a knee operation on Wednesday while Charles Piutau suffered another setback and will be unavailable to face Gloucester this weekend.  

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“Kyle has had niggles since the Six Nations so he will take a bit of time now to try and clear around his back and we will work closely with the England medical team with that one,” explained Lam. “Siva has gone in for surgery, he has had his surgery already and the rest are niggles. Charles unfortunately trained on Monday but had a slight groin strain so he has been ruled out this week.

“Ioan (Lloyd) is not far away. He broke his cheekbone in the Bath game, took a big knee to that, so he is not far. We are hoping if not next week, definitely the week after. There is a break for Europe so he definitely will be ready for the Exeter game, but he is a possibility for next week.”

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The final word on the injury front was about Richard Lane, the full-back Bristol signed on loan after he had played in the Championship as recently as February 27 at Nottingham for Bedford. He started last Friday’s Champions Cup game versus Sale but was soon in the wars to an extent that didn’t immediately reveal itself to Lam and co. 

“About seven minutes into the game he got stood on. I think Arron Reed went to step left and he landed right on top of Richard’s foot, so it broke this third bone in his foot but what a trooper. He went right the way to half-time, just limped around and he made a try-saving tackle when they poked their nose through. 

“We thought it was just bruising on his foot but he knew he was only doing 40 anyway and Charles would do second 40. But he gutted it out and when was saw the scans and it was a clean break. That’s tough.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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