Warren Whiteley’s World Cup dream is just about over

Former Springbok captain Warren Whiteley looks set to miss the Rugby World Cup in Japan following another torrid time with injuries.

The Lions no.8 captained the Springboks under Allister Coetzee and was often Siya Kolisi's deputy in Rassie Erasmus' first year as Springbok head coach.

Whiteley was hoping to make a late bid to be included in the Springboks World Cup squad and return to action with the Lions in the Currie Cup clash against the Blue Bulls this week, however his troubles with injuries  continued with Lions' chief executive Rudolf Straeuli confirming he will not take the field.

Straeuli explained that Whiteley would not be risked, simply because there is World Cup squad announcement coming soon.

“It is frustrating for the player... injuries are the most frustrating part of any players’ career,” said Straeuli.

“The doctors have a game-plan though, and we’re going to back off and not put any pressure on him.

“He’s simply progressed slower than we thought he would after the surgery. The tissue in his knee has to heal now... he has to be completely fine before he plays again.

“I suppose the lesson we’ve learned in this is that players should not be pushed into action when they’re not ready.

“Every player needs to be fully recovered before they do something which is not to their benefit.”

Whiteley's career has been hit with injuries recently as he failed to captain his side in the 2018 Super Rugby Final against the Crusaders and this season has been no different as he tore a chest muscle in round two of Super Rugby which put him out of action until mid-April, when he returned to the field to lead the Lions against the Chiefs in a famous win in Hamilton.

But he injured his knee in that game and spent another three weeks on the sidelines, returning in mid-May for the match against the Waratahs where injury struck again as he re-injured his knee.

Quotes Via: IOL