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Wallabies issue dire update on captain Ala'alatoa
By AAP
Star Wallabies prop Allan Ala’alatoa will miss the Rugby World Cup after he was stretchered off the MCG during the Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand.
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With three minutes remaining in the first half and the Australians trailing 12-7, the prop’s leg got caught as a scrum went to ground with Alaalaota appearing in obvious pain.
He was seen on the field post-match on crutches.
Coach Eddie Jones confirmed the 29-year-old had suffered a serious injury which will rule him out of the tournament in France, starting early September.
“He’s got a fairly serious injury I would suggest, an Achilles,” Jones said after the match.
The prop was leading the team with the two Wallabies’ co-captains off the field.
James Slipper started on the bench while Michael Hooper is sidelined with a calf injury.
The Wallabies also lost Alaalatoa’s replacement Taniela Tupou midway through the second half with a rib injury.
He’s unlikely to be a vailable for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Dunedin next Saturday while Jones confirmed Hooper would also remain in Australia.
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Why leave a player clearly in pain, obviously injured, on for 5-7 minutes before brining him off?
What a scrum by the ABs, just rolled over the Wallabies who had some big boys in their pack. Camera showed Alaalatoas face in the turf, in obvious pain. Sad loss, top player, top man. All the best for rehab.