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Ulster fans curse their bad luck after new signing's injury

Gareth Milasinovich's move from Worcester to Ulster has been quickly followed by injury (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Ulster fans feel that history is repeating itself after it was revealed that new signing Gareth Milasinovich sustained an ACL tear that will keep him out of action for the next nine months. 

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The 26-year-old prop is yet to play for the province after signing from Worcester Warriors, but has been forced to undergo surgery to repair the injury he sustained during pre-season training. 

Ulster fans on social media are highlighting the side’s bad luck, suggesting that this happens more often to them than any other club. Not only do the fans feel that ACL injuries are more rife at the Belfast club, but they also feel they suffer more injuries to new signings. 

Luke Marshall is a player that missed a lot of action last season due to an ACL injury sustained at the end of the season before. Marcell Coetzee is another player that has suffered from the same injury. 

In fact, the Springbok is also a player that was injured before ever representing Ulster, as he arrived with an ACL injury. 

Likewise, Jared Payne was another player that suffered a devastating Achilles injury only a few weeks after making his debut for Ulster that wrote off his entire first season. 

Of course, injuries are commonplace in rugby, but the Ulster fans feel they do not have the best of luck, and Milasinovich has added to their troubling stats. This is what has been said: 

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The South African-born prop was expected to make a big impact at Kingspan Stadium this coming season, as his ability to play on both sides of the scrum would prove invaluable. 

He is also eligible to represent Ireland, so this injury would have dented any of the international aspirations that he may have had. 

Dan McFarland still has options with his props, particularly with the arrival of British and Irish Lion Jack McGrath, alongside Marty Moore and Eric O’Sullivan, but this is still a cruel blow that the fans are growing used to. 

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WATCH: Ireland skipper Rory Best provides an update on his country’s pre-World Cup preparations 

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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