MELBOURNE, Sept 16 (Askume) – Australia forward Fraser McCreight suffered an inadvertent hand injury while playing in the internationals in July but has recovered from surgery and is set to play against New Zealand in the Rugby Championship.
The hard-charging flanker suffered the injury in the opening minute of the first Test of the season against Wales, but went on to complete the series and the one-off Test against Georgia after scans revealed the fracture.
“I think it could be a ligament (problem),” he told reporters on Monday.
“Obviously, longevity and good health are important, so I’m glad I got it done and underwent the treatment.”
The exact nature of McCreight’s injury has yet to be released and while the back-row enforcer has since recovered, the Kangaroos appear to have struggled on his side of the field.
Joe Schmidt’s side lost twice to South Africa at home and threw away the chance of winning the Rugby Championship with a record 67-27 defeat to Argentina in the final game in Santa Fe.
However, winning the final two Tests against Scott Robertson’s All Blacks would arguably net Rugby Australia the bigger prize – the Bledisloe Cup.
New Zealand has won the annual bilateral series every year since 2003.
Australia need to win a Test in Sydney and Wellington and at least draw the second Test to regain the trophy, and their chances look slim given their poor form in Santa Fe – even with Scott Robertson’s All Blacks side turning around – recovering from a far-fetched defeat to South Africa.
The Kangaroos will greatly miss Mike Wright’s tenacity at the breakdown and he dismissed the Santa Fe horror show as an aberration.
“If you look at the two games there, we had three good halves and one turnover,” he said.
“Everyone … comes back here to relax and rejuvenate for a week with family and friends.
“Obviously there’s a lot of buzz about playing and testing ourselves against the All Blacks, one of the best teams in the world.
“So don’t worry that the team isn’t working hard.”
