Wallabies prop Allan Alaalatoa has joined the ever-growing list of injury concerns ahead of the British and Irish Lions series this summer, after he limped off for the Brumbies in their win over the Reds.
Joe Schmidt’s side have taken a bashing on the injury front ahead of the summer series, with Joseph Suaalii and Noah Lolesio both being stretchered off last week.
Wallabies sweating over fitness of Allan Alaalatoa
The tighthead was carried off the pitch by two physios after 47 minutes in the 24-14 win, and head coach Stephen Larkham detailed it’s an issue with his calf.
“He had a tight calf coming into half-time and got a bit tighter when he was playing through that second-half,” he told reporters after the match. “We haven’t had him fully assessed yet but we’ll have an update on Monday.”
He also quipped on Stan Sport that he hoped it’s just cramp.
“Our understanding is he sort of carried it into halftime and he was pretty keen to go on,” he said. “Hopefully it’s just a cramp as opposed to anything more serious.”
“He was in the change room, still limping.”
Alaalatoa has been one of the form Australian tighthead’s in Super Rugby this season, and looks set to don the number three jersey against the Lions this summer should he overcome this injury.
The experienced front-rower now joins fellow Brumbies and Wallabies star Lolesio on the sidelines after the fly-half sustained a spinal injury last weekend.
There were major concerns for Lolesio following the incident, but the franchise have since confirmed it wasn’t as bad as first feared.
“We are pleased to report that scans have cleared him of any serious injury,” they said in a statement.
“Noah is in good spirits and will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team over the coming days. A timeline for his return to play will be determined based on ongoing assessment and symptom resolution.
“We thank the medical staff, match officials, and supporters for their concern and well wishes.”
There has also been a positive update on rugby league convert Suaalii, who was also taken off on a stretcher after a head injury.
“It’s a four-week injury, it looks like,” Waratahs boss Dan McKellar said on the former Sydney Roosters man.
“So he will crack on with what he needs to crack on with and be back in training really quickly to be honest. It’s nothing major, it’s just a setback.
“Obviously disappointing from a Waratahs perspective, but all going well, and most of the time it does, he’s not going to be missing any Test matches or anything like that.”
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/wallabies-injury-woes-worsen-ahead-of-british-and-irish-lions-series-as-ex-captain-limps-off-in-super-rugby-win
