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Staniforth set to fly home
From Jim Morton in Montpellier, France
September 24, 2007
AUSTRALIA fears it may need to call for a second Rugby World Cup replacement in a fortnight after Scott Staniforth suffered a serious shoulder injury during the 55-12 win against Fiji overnight.
Staniforth badly injured his right shoulder in a friendly-fire collision as he enjoyed his first touch of the ball after being sent on as a replacement at Stade de la Mosson.
He was hit by fellow centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, who misread an inside pass, and he stayed down for several minutes receiving treatment from team medic Martin Raftery. (Unfortunately it wasn't the only time ACC misread or mistimed/ran a play either, very obvious he hadn't played or trained there enough yet. Probably a good argument for Mortlock to come from the bench against Canada to give ACC some more time there. Could be invaluable come Finals.)
Staniforth rejoined the action but for only a couple of phases before he was replaced in the 67th minute.
He had joined the fray midway through the second half when young fly-half Berrick Barnes limped off with a corked thigh while Australia was leading 38-12.
Wallabies coach John Connolly expected to know Staniforth's fate tomorrow morning, after scans on his A/C joint.
The Western Force utility, 29, may become the second back sent home after Mark Gerrard's tournament ended with a first-match knee injury against Japan.
Matt Giteau, who bagged 27 points, including two tries, in a man-of-the-match performance, switched from inside centre to five-eighth then back to inside centre in five minutes as Julian Huxley replaced Staniforth.
Huxley chimed in well at No.10 to set up a late try to Stephen Hoiles as the Wallabies crossed three times in the final 10 minutes.
Reserve halfback Sam Cordingley finished with a knee injury, but Connolly expected both he and Barnes to be fit for the side’s final Pool B match, against Canada in Bordeaux, this weekend.
The versatile Huxley looms as a potential starter at inside centre against the Canucks, while Ryan Cross and Morgan Turinui would be among possible replacements to consider.
AAP