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No last hurrah for Latham

Sunday 11th May 2008

C Latham c Short b Injury......................99

Australia star Chris Latham has played his last match for the Reds after injuring his shoulder in the franchise's Super 14 defeat by the Crusaders on Saturday.

The Reds veteran tore the pectoral muscle from the bone in his right shoulder and faces an operation to reattach it, followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period that will keep him sidelined for three to four months.

He will be left stranded on 99 Super Rugby appearances for Queensland as he will join Guinness Premiership side Worcester at the end of the season.

Latham, who had only just returned from a four-week stint on the sidelines nursing a knee injury, suffered the injury attempting to tackle Kade Poki after just eight minutes.

"That's the end of one of the greatest careers in the Queensland jersey. Unfortunately not everyone gets the fairytale send-off," said Reds coach Mooney.

"What he's done for Queensland over an extended period of time puts him up there amongst the greatest ever to wear the Red jersey."

Latham conceded on Monday that his Wallaby career was effectively over, as he would not be fit in time to stake a legitimate claim for selection in the one Test that he might be fit for, before the domestic season ends and he leaves to join Worcester on a three year contract.

"To be honest, I'd like to (be considered for selection, but I don't see why they'd bother," Latham said.

"I could probably make it back for one test (but) there's no use for that. They (Wallaby selectors) need to move on and obviously there'll be people playing in between now and then and I really hope they get good form and they stay there and start performing. If that's the case there's not much use wheeling me out again."

Latham said he was initially "quite filthy at the world" over his injury, but had since had cause to reflect on how lucky he'd been.

"I can't be filthy at anything. I've played over 100 games for Queensland, 70-odd Tests for Australia. It's a pretty privileged life.

"I don't at all feel ripped off. A little bit disappointed that it had to end this way. I would have cherished running out on Saturday night but it's not meant to be, so, move on."

Latham has played 78 Tests for Australia between 1998 and last year's Rugby World Cup. He played 119 matches for Queensland since 1998, including 99 Super Rugby games.

Latham also played 10 Super Rugby games for NSW in 1997 before moving to Brisbane. He has scored 200 Test points and 291 career points for Queensland.