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Gruesome injury sees Tom Banks set for another lengthy sideline stint
By AAP
Wallabies fullback Tom Banks faces an extended stint on the sidelines after suffering a gruesome broken arm during the 30-28 win against England in Perth.
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Quade Cooper was a last-minute withdrawal after straining his left calf in the warm-up on Saturday night, but it was the injury to Banks that left viewers squeamish.
After leaping high into the air in a bid to catch Nic White’s 22nd-minute restart, Banks’ left arm bent the wrong way as he crashed to the ground.
The 28-year-old was ferried off the field on a medicab before being taken to hospital.
It continued a wretched run for Banks, who broke his right arm last year and underwent surgery earlier this year for a facial fracture.
“It’s pretty serious,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said of Banks’ latest injury. “It was total commitment to the kick-off, and he ended up high and flipped over the back of someone. It was no fault of the English.
“I’m gutted for Banksy, because he’s worked so hard to get back. He’s had a great season. We’ll miss him.”
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Adding to the Wallabies’ woes, prop Allan Ala’alatoa went off in the 26th minute after copping a knock to the head and he was unable to return.
The night of injury carnage for the hosts started even before kick-off.
The Wallabies were completing their warm-up at Optus Stadium when Cooper injured his left calf.
The 34-year-old was consoled by teammates as he slowly trudged off the field.
Noah Lolesio was thrust into the starting line-up in place of Cooper at No.10 while James O’Connor was brought onto the bench.
Cooper led the Wallabies to five straight wins last year after his four-year exile from the national side came to an end, and his absence leaves a massive void.
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O’Connor was part of a corporate function before the match but he was rushed to the rooms to get changed once Cooper’s injury was confirmed.
Lolesio played a key role in the win, nailing all three conversions to go with three-of-three penalties to keep England at bay.
His last two conversions – from near the sideline – were particularly crucial, given the Wallabies were down to 14 men following the 34th-minute red card to lock Darcy Swain.
O’Connor entered the field late in the match, but by then the contest was already won, with two late tries to England – including one after the final siren – only adding respectability to the scoreline.
– Justin Chadwick
