Boost for Brumbies with star cleared of serious injury
Skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been cleared of serious injury in a major boost to the ladder-leading ACT Brumbies' Super Rugby Pacific title aspirations.
The news is also a relief to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the experienced tighthead prop a certainty to face the touring British and Irish Lions, with the first Test in July.
Alaalatoa was helped from the field soon after halftime in Canberra on Saturday night as the Brumbies trumped Queensland 24-14 to move to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was uncertain of the lower-leg issue but was hopeful that Alaalatoa, who missed the 2023 Rugby World Cup after rupturing his achilles, would be available for the Super finals.
"He had a tight calf coming into halftime and it got a bit tighter when he was playing through that second-half," Larkham said post-match.
The coach will likely have his wish, with scans on Monday clearing 31-year-old Alaalatoa of serious damage.
"The Brumbies can confirm that captain Allan Alaalatoa underwent a scan on a lower leg injury after leaving the field during Saturday's fixture against the Reds at GIO Stadium," the Brumbies said in a statement."The results of the scan are favourable and show a low grade calf strain, which should have him return in the next couple of weeks."
The Brumbies have a bye next week, then finish their regular season against the Crusaders, who are two points behind and level with the Chiefs in second.
The Australian front-runners also have Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio sidelined after the five-eighth sustained a spinal injury earlier this month.
Lolesio was also cleared of serious injury but no timeline has been provided for his return to play.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sydney Morning Herald
25 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Paris Olympian DQ'd at trials
Joshua Yong is disqualified after the men's 200m breaststroke final at the 2025 Australian swimming trials.
The Age
34 minutes ago
- The Age
Paris Olympian DQ'd at trials
Joshua Yong is disqualified after the men's 200m breaststroke final at the 2025 Australian swimming trials.
Perth Now
an hour ago
- Perth Now
Louis Vuitton announce partnership with Real Madrid
Louis Vuitton have agreed a multi-year partnership with Real Madrid's soccer and basketball teams. The French fashion house - who signed the club's midfielder Jude Bellingham as a brand ambassador last year - will dress the players for major travel and events, with the looks created by menswear creative director Pharrell Williams. Pietro Beccari, chairman and chief executive officer of Louis Vuitton, told WWD: 'It's football royalty meets luxury royalty. 'Because ultimately, football is the number-one sport worldwide, and Real Madrid is a legendary team, on top of that. Louis Vuitton has just as much aura, being the global leader. I think it's a perfect marriage and an authentic one." The brand were tipped to be taking over as Zegna as Real Madrid's official off-field wardrobe providers, and the club thinks their ethos aligns well with Louis Vuitton. Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid's director of institutional relations, said in a statement: 'At Real Madrid, we relentlessly pursue excellence as the path to remain at the top. That same philosophy defines a brand as iconic in the luxury industry as Louis Vuitton. 'Both of us have managed to transcend time, and we share not only the responsibility of building a legacy, but also the purpose of inspiring the world — beyond our respective industries." Pietro also said of the partnership: 'This partnership is a natural fit for Louis Vuitton and our continued focus on sports. As we like to say, 'Victory travels in Louis Vuitton.' " Louis Vuitton have created the trunk for the World Cup winner's trophy since 2010, as well as carriers for top sporting prizes including Rugby World Cup, the NBA Championship trophy, the Formula 1 Grand Prix de Monaco prize, the America's Cup, and for the 2024 Paris Olympic medals and torches. And Pietro hailed the partnership with the Spanish club the start of a new era for Louis Vuitton and sport. He said: 'Today, this partnership with a football club marks a new era and predicts a very positive future. 'Sports people embody the ultimate journey: a pursuit of excellence. Overcoming failure is part of the process, just as there are challenging times in business. What matters is the team spirit, and the values represented by the club and its federation. Real Madrid remains a legendary club, the most decorated in the world of football. 'And I think the mentality of Real Madrid is exceptional. They are able to celebrate for 24 hours and then move on to the next chapter or be sad for 24 hours because they didn't win a trophy, then forget about it and focus on what's next."
