Tana still may play.

[Te Kaha]

From the wonderful folk at stuff.co.nz

Umaga's cup hopes alive
15 October 2003

MELBOURNE: All Blacks vice-captain Tana Umaga is still considered a chance to play at the rugby World Cup.


At a press conference today, coach John Mitchell said an assessment of Umaga, 30, found damage to the posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee was not as serious as first feared.

"There is still a chance he will play in the World Cup again," Mitchell said.

"It's only four days' post-injury, it's outstanding news."

Swelling around the knee had gone down but there was still swelling around the back of the knee which meant an accurate assessment of Umaga's recovery time was difficult.

Umaga will commence cycling and swimming rehabilitation work today, with the aim of improving strength in the quad muscle.

Canterbury lock Norm Maxwell, who was flown to Melbourne to act as a standby player, will remain here in that role.

Umaga hurt his knee when the All Blacks opened their World Cup campaign by beating Italy 70-7 last Saturday.

 

[bayrep]

Great news on Tana, but this must be darn hard on Maxwell, who is expected to stay isolated in a different hotel out side the AB culture. I say send Tana home, we have the depth to cover his position, he would only come back in about 2-3 weeks and then would be tentitive on a knee that will not be a 100%.

 

[Te Kaha]

Great news on Tana, but this must be darn hard on Maxwell, who is expected to stay isolated in a different hotel out side the AB culture. I say send Tana home, we have the depth to cover his position, he would only come back in about 2-3 weeks and then would be tentitive on a knee that will not be a 100%.

The injury isn't that bad. I did both knees the same back in my playing days. As long as his quad can adapt he shouldn't have to much problems. From memory Steve Georgalis(sp) played for a few years with neither crutiate ligamint.

 

[bayrep]

Great news on Tana, but this must be darn hard on Maxwell, who is expected to stay isolated in a different hotel out side the AB culture. I say send Tana home, we have the depth to cover his position, he would only come back in about 2-3 weeks and then would be tentitive on a knee that will not be a 100%.

The injury isn't that bad. I did both knees the same back in my playing days. As long as his quad can adapt he shouldn't have to much problems. From memory Steve Georgalis(sp) played for a few years with neither crutiate ligamint.

The crutiate is the back one that is meant to restrict sideways movement and how far your knee can bend foward isnt ? if so I have done mine and I am reduced to running, I cant play any sport as my laterial movement in my knee is shot and just pops everytime I try. If Tana is the same he would need to build up the muscle around his knee at the minimum but will still restrict movement. The other option is an operation, but as they article states the dont think it is that serious.

 

[Te Kaha]

Great news on Tana, but this must be darn hard on Maxwell, who is expected to stay isolated in a different hotel out side the AB culture. I say send Tana home, we have the depth to cover his position, he would only come back in about 2-3 weeks and then would be tentitive on a knee that will not be a 100%.

The injury isn't that bad. I did both knees the same back in my playing days. As long as his quad can adapt he shouldn't have to much problems. From memory Steve Georgalis(sp) played for a few years with neither crutiate ligamint.

The crutiate is the back one that is meant to restrict sideways movement and how far your knee can bend foward isnt ? if so I have done mine and I am reduced to running, I cant play any sport as my laterial movement in my knee is shot and just pops everytime I try. If Tana is the same he would need to build up the muscle around his knee at the minimum but will still restrict movement. The other option is an operation, but as they article states the dont think it is that serious.

Yea the posterior cruitiate is the one at the back. With enough tape he should be able to run but stepping of his left foot will be painful. Still he's a tough bugger and I think his presence alone is enough to keep him there. Even if he doesn't play.

 

[AliN]

Agree Te Kaha, his experience and mere presence will lift the younger players who have a lot of respect for him.

I'd say he wouldn't still be in the squad if there was any doubt he wouldn't play. And that's great news..

 

[Te Kaha]

from SMH

Umaga sets 14-day deadline

By Phil Wilkins in Melbourne
Friday, October 17, 2003

Champions have dignity, and a dreadlocked Tana Umaga unemotionally vowed to pack himself off home in a fortnight if he realised he was an encumbrance to New Zealand in the World Cup.

"I don't want to be excess luggage. I don't want to hinder the team," the 53-Test outside-centre said in his first media conference since rupturing his left posterior cruciate ligament last Saturday night against Italy. " I know that if I don't come through in the next couple of weeks, then I'd send myself home."

Umaga is wading in a swimming pool and riding an exercise bike to strengthen the knee in a bid to be fit for the quarter-finals, starting on November 8.

New Zealand play Canada tonight at Melbourne's Telstra Dome in the second of their four group D qualifying matches, having beaten Italy 70-7.

Umaga, 30, spoke in awe of his Wellington Hurricanes centre partner and dynamic All Blacks replacement, Ma'a Nonu, 21.
"From the way he has been training, how he has been fizzing, I'd be happy to play [after injury], but I don't think I'll get a chance," Umaga said. "Ma'a is on fire. You saw the way he played against Italy . . .

"I think this kid has got it. I don't want to put too much pressure on Ma'a, but he definitely has talent. He's only 21. The best thing is his attitude. He's never happy where he is, always working hard to improve his game. I wish I'd had his attitude at 21."

Canada's acting captain, blindside breakaway Ryan Banks, was asked if his team faced "mission impossible" tonight, replying: "Honestly, yes. We're doing our best for defensive systems to slow them down and to make them work for tries."

Coach David Clark observed: "We missed 26 tackles against Wales and no defensive system in the world will work if you miss tackles."

Banks is leading Canada in the absence of the nation's finest player, four-time World Cup back-rower Al Charron, who had a knee reconstruction last June and who did miraculously to return for Canada's cup kick-off against Wales last Sunday.

Charron, on the bench tonight, came off long before the end in his 74th Test, admitting: "The game is getting faster and faster and I'm getting slower and slower. We'll have to rethink my role in the team."

 

[chileman]

If/when they make the WC final I reckon we'll see Tana either on the bench or out there for the final as I reckon this will be his last!