www dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/blake-ferguson-mystery-injury-puts-place-in-kangaroos-world-cup-squad-at-risk/story-fni3gnk1-1226703676230
UPDATE: BLAKE Ferguson’s mystery injury could cost him a place in the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad - with time running out for the wayward centre to stake his claim for Justin Hodges’ vacant position.
Ferguson’s future at Canberra also remains a mystery after another bizarre twist on Monday when he claimed he had not passed a fitness test to play against Manly last Sunday, despite his own coach declaring he was fit.
In another day of drama Ferguson contradicted interim coach Andrew Dunemann’s version of his injury, with Ferguson posting on Twitter: “Just so all you raiders fans understand! I never passed a fitness test on my hip flexor that’s why I never played.”
Dunemann revealed after Sunday’s loss that Ferguson was fit for the match but was not considered for selection.
It is understood it was Canberra’s medical staff that passed Ferguson fit because they could find no evidence of his injury that would stop him from playing.
It seems obvious that his Canberra teammates are fast losing faith in Ferguson too - not just because he refuses to commit his future to the club, but because he is showing little regard for their finals’ push.
Ferguson has come under fire for his decision not to attend Sunday’s game after photos emerged of him with former Canberra bad boy Todd Carney at a Clovelly pub on Saturday night.
Ferguson had been given permission to go to Sydney for what was understood to be “personal family reasons”.
Blake Ferguson
Blake Ferguson is pictured with Todd Carney and a fan in Clovelly on Saturday night.
Ferguson also defended himself on Twitter on Monday when he posted: “Didn’t know going out to dinner with mates was such a big problem! Guess this is what it has come to!”
But the question most people in the game are asking is that if he had time to go out on the town in Sydney with Carney, why couldn’t he make it to the game on Sunday to show support for his teammates?
It also remains unclear what he did on Sunday instead of attending the game.
There are conflicting reports he may not have spent the entire day with family.
It remains to be seen if Dunemann will name Ferguson in his team on Tuesday for Saturday’s crucial clash against the Warriors in Auckland that is a must-win game for both teams to stay in finals contention.
The Raiders are stuck in a log-jam of teams on 24 competition points but are in 12th position on points differential and have to win both their remaining games to have any chance of making the finals.
But also on the line is the potential of Ferguson winning a spot in Tim Sheens’s World Cup squad with the injury to Hodges opening up a place.
There is no question Ferguson has the talent to make the tour but unless he gets back on the field and shows some form he would be little chance.
Sheens has said previously he won’t rule anyone in or out but it would be almost impossible to select Ferguson given the time he has spent on the field in recent months following his controversial sacking from the NSW team.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault and the the case is due back in court on September 3, next Tuesday.
Canberra CEO Don Furner was reluctant to comment about Ferguson’s future on Monday.
Ferguson has a get-out clause in his contract that allows him to leave the Raiders at the end of the season in the wake of Dave Furner’s sacking last week.
Carney’s club Cronulla is one of several clubs being mentioned as a possible new home and Ferguson stands to receive a massive contract upgrade following a string of spectacular performances at stages this year.
Even though Ferguson has a get-out clause at the Raiders, he is contracted at the club until November 1.
Blake Ferguson
Canberra's injured centre Blake Ferguson helps coach Anthony Mundine's under-12s team, the Alexandria Rovers, in Sydney on Thursday. Picture: Gregg Porteous
The Canberra players had a day off on Monday but Furner said he plans to speak with Ferguson on Tuesday when the team returns for training.
His immediate future at the club will be a lot clearer after that meeting.
Didn't know going out to dinner with mates was such a big problem! Guess this is what it has come to!
— Blake Ferguson (@fergyferg2) August 26, 2013
Just so all you raiders fans understand! I never passed a fitness text on my hip flexor that's why I never played!
— Blake Ferguson (@fergyferg2) August 26, 2013
UPDATE: BLAKE Ferguson’s mystery injury could cost him a place in the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad - with time running out for the wayward centre to stake his claim for Justin Hodges’ vacant position.
Ferguson’s future at Canberra also remains a mystery after another bizarre twist on Monday when he claimed he had not passed a fitness test to play against Manly last Sunday, despite his own coach declaring he was fit.
In another day of drama Ferguson contradicted interim coach Andrew Dunemann’s version of his injury, with Ferguson posting on Twitter: “Just so all you raiders fans understand! I never passed a fitness test on my hip flexor that’s why I never played.”
Dunemann revealed after Sunday’s loss that Ferguson was fit for the match but was not considered for selection.
It is understood it was Canberra’s medical staff that passed Ferguson fit because they could find no evidence of his injury that would stop him from playing.
It seems obvious that his Canberra teammates are fast losing faith in Ferguson too - not just because he refuses to commit his future to the club, but because he is showing little regard for their finals’ push.
Ferguson has come under fire for his decision not to attend Sunday’s game after photos emerged of him with former Canberra bad boy Todd Carney at a Clovelly pub on Saturday night.
Ferguson had been given permission to go to Sydney for what was understood to be “personal family reasons”.
Blake Ferguson
Blake Ferguson is pictured with Todd Carney and a fan in Clovelly on Saturday night.
Ferguson also defended himself on Twitter on Monday when he posted: “Didn’t know going out to dinner with mates was such a big problem! Guess this is what it has come to!”
But the question most people in the game are asking is that if he had time to go out on the town in Sydney with Carney, why couldn’t he make it to the game on Sunday to show support for his teammates?
It also remains unclear what he did on Sunday instead of attending the game.
There are conflicting reports he may not have spent the entire day with family.
It remains to be seen if Dunemann will name Ferguson in his team on Tuesday for Saturday’s crucial clash against the Warriors in Auckland that is a must-win game for both teams to stay in finals contention.
The Raiders are stuck in a log-jam of teams on 24 competition points but are in 12th position on points differential and have to win both their remaining games to have any chance of making the finals.
But also on the line is the potential of Ferguson winning a spot in Tim Sheens’s World Cup squad with the injury to Hodges opening up a place.
There is no question Ferguson has the talent to make the tour but unless he gets back on the field and shows some form he would be little chance.
Sheens has said previously he won’t rule anyone in or out but it would be almost impossible to select Ferguson given the time he has spent on the field in recent months following his controversial sacking from the NSW team.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to a charge of indecent assault and the the case is due back in court on September 3, next Tuesday.
Canberra CEO Don Furner was reluctant to comment about Ferguson’s future on Monday.
Ferguson has a get-out clause in his contract that allows him to leave the Raiders at the end of the season in the wake of Dave Furner’s sacking last week.
Carney’s club Cronulla is one of several clubs being mentioned as a possible new home and Ferguson stands to receive a massive contract upgrade following a string of spectacular performances at stages this year.
Even though Ferguson has a get-out clause at the Raiders, he is contracted at the club until November 1.
Blake Ferguson
Canberra's injured centre Blake Ferguson helps coach Anthony Mundine's under-12s team, the Alexandria Rovers, in Sydney on Thursday. Picture: Gregg Porteous
The Canberra players had a day off on Monday but Furner said he plans to speak with Ferguson on Tuesday when the team returns for training.
His immediate future at the club will be a lot clearer after that meeting.
Didn't know going out to dinner with mates was such a big problem! Guess this is what it has come to!
— Blake Ferguson (@fergyferg2) August 26, 2013
Just so all you raiders fans understand! I never passed a fitness text on my hip flexor that's why I never played!
— Blake Ferguson (@fergyferg2) August 26, 2013
