Advertisement
concerns

Sexton, Henshaw, Stander and Kearney doubts for Australia clash

Joe Schmidt says the Ireland out-half has a hamstring issue.

JOE SCHMIDT AND Ireland have injury concerns over Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, Rob Kearney and CJ Stander ahead of next Saturday’s November Test against Australia in Dublin.

All four players were injured in this evening’s 21-9 defeat to New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.

Robbie Henshaw salutes the crowd while leaving the field with an injury Henshaw was stretchered off early in the game. Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Henshaw was forced off as early as the 11th minute after taking a heavy blow to the head in a Sam Cane tackle, while Sexton departed seven minutes later with a hamstring injury.

Stander also sustained a head injury in a tackle from Israel Dagg, while fullback Kearney was the third Irishman to suffer that fate later on in the game.

“We’ve got three guys getting Head Injury Assessments – Rob Kearney, CJ Stander and Robbie Henshaw,” said Schmidt post-match.

It looks like Johnny Sexton has a hamstring issue. We will get an update on that either tomorrow afternoon or Monday morning with a scan, and see whether he’s a chance for next week or not.

“We probably have a fair few bruised bodies as well, and some things don’t present until tomorrow morning, so when we do the medicals tomorrow morning we’ll have a look. It was pretty physical.”

Sexton has suffered several hamstring issues in the last year, with a strain making him a brief doubt for the Chicago clash with the All Blacks.

CJ Stander, Robbie Henshaw and Jack McGrath watch from the bench Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

However, Schmidt said that the injury Sexton sustained this evening was actually in his other hamstring, rejecting the notion that the Leinster out-half needs some time off to get his body right.

“It’s his other hamstring,” said Schmidt. “So it’s not the previously-injured hamstring, it was the other one. I think having time out of the game won’t necessarily solve that.

He has got fairly skinny legs, we could put a bit more meat on them maybe, and that might help.

“It’s one of those unfortunate things on the day. He warmed up well, he felt good before the game, I thought he started well in the game and it was disappointing to lose him. But I don’t think putting him out of the game for a prolonged period is the solution.

“We’ll get it assessed and whether he’s available next week or not will be determined by the medical staff, who we have a lot of faith in.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

Ireland can’t convert, key men lost, and the match officials in limelight

‘There’s too much at stake’: Ireland on the wrong side of two questionable calls

Your Voice
Readers Comments
31
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.