/ 2 May 2000

FINEGAN OUT FOR SIX MONTHS

THE ACT Brumbies were stripped further of their forward strength with news on Tuesday that back-row enforcer Owen Finegan is out of rugby for six months. Finegan will undergo surgery next week on his left knee after a scan revealed the 26-Test veteran and World Cup winner tore his medial and cruciate ligaments against the Waikato Chiefs last Sunday. The Brumbies quickly rushed Finegan’s brother-in-law Warwick Waugh from England as a replacement. The Brumbies are prepared to throw Waugh into Saturday night’s crunch match with Queensland at Bruce Stadium. Waugh is Australian rugby’s ultimate Mr Fix-it, rekindling a Super 12 career that always seems on the brink.