“You look at the weekend, it was 200 or so tackles, we ‘D-ed’, they’re huge Fijians, so your body is a little bit sore. If you do it every week, week after week, and “Guys are out there for a long time and that’s going to pay off. It’s just going to take a toll.”
“them [the rested players] Saturday will continue to train and get a good whip, but not a contact load, which gives them time to recover, or rejuvenate, as they head into the final round. “
Western Force’s Tom Robertson and head coach Simon Cron at the start of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season this month.Credit: Getty Images
Robertson got the news a footballer doesn’t want to hear in Rugby World Cup year, with scans revealing a torn ACL in his left knee, caused during Force’s win over the Brumbies at the weekend.
The 28-year-old from Dubbo, who has played 24 Tests, is in line for the World Cup after a solid season for the Force and a win at Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies camp in April selection.
“The timing was really bad; he was playing his best football,” Force coach Simon Cron said.
“We love him. He’s a great guy. He covers the loose and the tight. It’s a big loss. But he’s strong and he’ll get through it.”
Crane said he supported Robertson in realizing his dream of playing for the Wallabies at the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027.
“We’ve talked before, before he got injured, he was already talking about the next World Cup at home. He’s seen that,” Cron said.
“He’s a smart guy and a tough guy, so he’s going to get through it.”
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It was a mixed day for the Force, with Wallabies lock Izack Rodda named to return from a foot injury. Rhoda missed the international winter season last year due to foot surgery and re-injured his foot during a trial with Fiji’s Delua in February.
It’s the same foot Rhoda needed surgery on last year, with the injury keeping him out of the Wallabies’ 2022 international season.
“It’s been a year since he last [official] game. He’s been working hard behind the scenes to get himself back in shape,” Keren said.
