Curse strikes Wallabies skipper Moore

Editor

Wallabies hooker and captain Stephen Moore will play no more rugby this year due to an ACL tear sustained against France.

Wallabies hooker and captain Stephen Moore will play no more rugby this year due to an ACL tear sustained against France, while debutant Sam Carter is also ruled out of the remainder of the series.

In an unfortunate set of circumstances, Moore has been diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee, which will require surgery and keep him on the sideline for the remainder of the year.

Carter also underwent scans on Saturday, where he was ruled out of the remainder of the current three-game Test series against France with a syndesmosis injury to his left ankle.

He will commence his rehabilitation immediately with a view to returning to the playing field during the later stages of the Brumbies' Super Rugby campaign.

A decision on replacements into the Wallabies 32-man squad will be made later today.

Qantas Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie sympathised with Moore and Carter.

“We all witnessed during the week just how passionate Stephen and Sam are about representing their country, so it's disappointing on a personal level to lose them through injury after just one game,” said McKenzie.

“For Stephen, I couldn't have been more pleased by how he carried himself as our captain during the week, and with the contributions he was making on behalf of the team. I wish him the best with his rehabilitation.

“He'll work hard to get his knee right and will play a major role in our preparations for the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

“For Sam, he's now got a taste of what Test rugby is all about, and I've got no doubts he'll continue to work hard to be available when we select our Rugby Championship squad next month.”