'Scary thought' Wallabies are trying to avoid

1 year ago 79

Wallabies centre Len Ikitau says he's trying to debar reasoning astir the anticipation of wounded little than a twelvemonth retired from the Rugby World Cup.

The Brumbies ace is 1 of the fewer players who has remained uninjured for the duration of the five-match Spring Tour.

Sunday morning's last clash against Wales astatine Principality Stadium successful Cardiff volition beryllium the past outing of the twelvemonth for what's near of the Australian contingent.

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The well-documented wounded toll worsened connected Wednesday erstwhile it emerged erstwhile skipper Michael Hooper had been ruled retired having shown signs of concussion.

Asked whether helium felt similar the past antheral standing, Ikitau knocked connected the woody desk, earlier offering a "yes" and a wry smile.

"It's a scary thought, being injured and not being successful a presumption to enactment yourself guardant for the World Cup," said Ikitau.

"I guess, for us, it's much conscionable taking it time by day, week by week, and enjoying the process connected the way."

Perhaps the astir high-profile nonaccomplishment of precocious is that of Taniela Tupou, who suffered a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon.

It's feared the steamrolling prop whitethorn miss the tourney altogether.

"Devastated for Nela and the remainder of the boys, particularly Nela," said Ikitau.

"I deliberation it's a semipermanent wounded and I deliberation he's conscionable got to get backmost location and past get country and spell from there. Really bittersweet for Nela."

Ikitau whitethorn find himself backmost successful the No.12 jersey astatine wrong centre, alternatively than his emblematic extracurricular centre travel Sunday.

He's recovered himself successful the No.13 jersey since making his debut against France past year.

"I was reasoning astir it. I played 12 possibly 3 times my full vocation and it's against the All Blacks, South Africa, and Ireland, truthful that's 3 large teams," said Ikitau.

"It's beauteous tough. I ever accidental to [Mark Nawaqanitawase] that I ever request reps astatine 12 conscionable successful lawsuit injuries hap and that proves why.

"I've enjoyed it. I emotion playing 13 but 12 is simply a bully learning acquisition for me."

The last lucifer of this year's circuit gets underway astatine 2.15am AEDT connected Saturday with sum live, ad-free and exclusively connected Stan Sport.

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