Wallabies lock Hugh McMeniman will miss Australia’s midyear rugby internationals, including the Tri-Nations series against New Zealand and South Africa, because of a shoulder injury.
McMeniman (22) said on Wednesday he will undergo surgery to repair the injury and related nerve damage, and will not be available for international selection before Australia’s end-of-year tour to Europe.
”I’m a bit shattered about it but I’m thinking about the end of the year and next year now and getting ready to have a full season and hopefully making the World Cup team,” McMeniman said.
The promising forward, who made his debut on Australia’s tour to Europe last year, will learn in the next few days what surgery will be required.
He said the best-case scenario was an operation which would carry a 15-week recuperation period. More complex surgery on related nerve damage might rule him out for longer. – Sapa-AP