Australian Rugby
Robinson loses RWC fitness battle
ESPNscrum Staff
August 15, 2011
Wallabies prop Benn Robinson shrugs off a challenge during training at Sydney Grammar School Fields, Sydney, Australia, July 13, 2010
Benn Robinson's absence will be a huge loss for boss Robbie Deans © Getty Images
Enlarge
Related Links
Players/Officials: Ben Alexander | Sekope Kepu | Benn Robinson
Tournaments/Tours: Rugby World Cup
Teams: Australia

Wallabies prop Benn Robinson has been ruled out of the forthcoming World Cup after failing to recover from a knee injury.

The Wallabies loose-head prop tore his anterior cruciate ligament last month and had pondered playing on through the pain barrier. Having joined up with the Wallabies training camp, Robinson's valiant attempt to delay surgery till after the showpiece tournament proved to be in vain.

"Heading in for surgery tomorrow," Robinson tweeted on Monday. "Pushed really hard to make it, but knee just isn't right!! Very disheartening!!" The 42-cap prop is now certain to miss out on selection in Robbie Deans' 30-man squad for World Cup which will be unveiled on Thursday.

In Robinson's place, Robbie Deans has handed the loose-head berth to Waratahs' Sekope Kepu in the three 2011 Tri-Nations Tests to date. With Deans expected to name Ben Alexander, Kepu and James Slipper in the 30-man squad, Salesi Maafu and Ben Daley will hope to gatecrash the selection and earn a place on the plane.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices