World at an end for Walker
On the same day Ireland full-back Felix Jones received some heartbreaking news on the injury front, Walker’s World Cup hopes were also shattered following his side’s 23-12 victory.
The Ospreys back came on after 54 minutes but did not complete the match after being taken off on a stretcher with three minutes remaining following an innocuous-looking tackle.
Walker went for medical assessments on the injury and a medial ligament problem was diagnosed, ruling him out of the tournament in New Zealand which begins next month.
Scotland head coach Andy Robinson, who is to name his 30-man World Cup squad today, said: “Nikki has worked exceptionally hard in training and some of the running lines he made yesterday when he came off the bench were first-class.
“We all feel for him but injuries do happen in sport and you just have to deal with them. We wish Nikki a speedy recovery.”
Walker’s Ospreys colleagues yesterday dealt Ireland’s World Cup opponents Russia a blow, as a largely second-string side hammered them 46-19 at the Liberty Stadium, the second of Russia’s two friendlies against Welsh regions.
Another of Ireland’s pool opponents, Eddie O’Sullivan’s USA, were also on the losing side this weekend, going down 20-14 to Japan.
John Kirwan’s side dominated the game with their physical play in the second half, shutting down the States to secure the confidence-boosting victory.
Meanwhile, Leigh Halfpenny is offering a heartening good news story for Wales ahead of their World Cup campaign in New Zealand.
Wales’ preparations have been hindered by tournament-ending injuries to Matthew Rees, Gavin Henson and Morgan Stoddart, while there remains a major fitness concern over prop Gethin Jenkins.
Halfpenny though, is back and in the World Cup selection mix after recovering from an ankle injury that meant a punishing rehabilitation programme to regain full fitness.
“It was superb to pull on the Wales jersey again,” he said, following a promising return to action in Wales’ 28-13 World Cup warm-up win against Argentina.
“It was always the goal to get back for the Argentina game, and there were no worries at all about the injury.
“We had about two or three occasions when we just had to take our foot off the gas a bit during the rehab because we had made such good progress.
“We got so far ahead of schedule that the ankle got a bit sore once or twice.
“So it was about managing it and then being able to go again. The main thing was being ready for the Argentina game, and there is no doubt it was ready.”
Halfpenny promises to be a key member of Wales’ World Cup squad, which will be announced tomorrow by coach Warren Gatland, given his proven ability on the wing and as a full-back.
Elsewhere, Wallabies star James O’Connor has apologised for missing last week’s World Cup squad announcement and said he was willing to take his punishment.
O’Connor faced the media for the first time since missing the Sydney event last Thursday, ahead of next weekend’s Tri Nations decider against New Zealand.
The 21-year-old utility back has been asked by the Australian Rugby Union to explain his disappearance and could face a ban and miss Australia’s final warm-up game for next month’s World Cup.
O’Connor said he was sorry for letting down his team and Australian rugby.
“I just want to express my regret as this is such an important event for the Wallabies and I would like to apologise to all the fans and my teammates,” he told reporters.
“I let myself down, I let the fans down and I guess all the Wallabies down and the ARU as well. It’s a massive event [World Cup squad naming] and one that only comes around every four years.”
The ARU is investigating the incident and is expected to hand down its decision today.
The Wallabies’ opponents New Zealand come into the game on the back of a chastening 18-5 loss to a rejuvenated South Africa.
The All Blacks scored the only try of the game through centre Richard Kahui — one of five All Blacks, alongside prop Owen Franks, utility back Isaia Toeava, winger Zac Guildford and scrum-half Andy Ellis to agree new deals to stay put in New Zealand after the World Cup — but were out-muscled up front by their hosts, whose points all came from the boot of Morné Steyn.
It was South Africa’s first victory and their best performance of the year but the Springbok management will continue to be concerned by their team’s inability to cross the try line.
Peter de Villiers’ team have scored just three tries this year — all by hookers John Smit and Chiliboy Ralepelle.
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