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Wallabies suffer new injury scare
By Iain Payten
October 10, 2008 DREW Mitchell sent another injury scare through the Australia camp as Robbie Deans' exhausted charges continued their gruelling pre-tour training in Sydney.
A painful blow to the neck during a defensive drill saw Mitchell escorted from the field for medical treatment. Thankfully the problem was not deemed serious and the winger rejoined training later in the session.
But the incident provided more concern for Deans on a day when rookie ACT lock Peter Kimlin was named as the latest addition to an injury-hit European tour party.
With James Horwill (foot) already ruled out, Rocky Elsom and Dan Vickerman departed and Lote Tuqiri (knee) and Wycliff Palu (knee) under injury clouds, Mitchell's scare highlighted the fact Australia can ill-afford any more casualties.
"I'm fine, it was just a stinger," Mitchell said post-training. " I just put my head in the wrong position and jarred it, but the pain died off after a few minutes."
And there was no shortage of sore and tired Wallaby bodies elsewhere as the third of four torturous camps wrapped up.
The Wallabies have slogged through sprints, beach fitness, hill repeats and bruising contact work.
As well as on-field drills, players have donned boxing gloves and bashed each other in no-holds-barred sparring battles. The twice-daily sessions have left players so exhausted many admit privately they've taken the whole weekend to recover.
"It's certainly good to see the Thursday afternoon come around," Mitchell said.
"They're four pretty intense days. But its good to know you have that base behind you ... to know you've done the work going into the tour."
Hooker Adam Freier says he's keen to get out of the boxing group when his hamstring strain heals.
"It is tough, without a doubt. Friday can't come quick enough. I'm sick of getting matched up with Matty Dunning (in boxing)," Freier said.
But the more the Wallabies wilt, the better Deans likes it. It's in this fatigued state Australia's option-taking and skill levels have dropped away and the camps are designed to remap players' instincts.
"It's the first opportunity we've had to address some of the habits: work habits, skills habits, work rate habits. That's valuable," Deans said.
Deans said 114kg Brumbies lock Kimlin, 23, had been impressive with his ball-running, attitude and work rate for Australia A in the Pacific Nations Cup.
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
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Drew! He's fine!
