Knee Injury Rules Santiago Grondona out of the World Cup

Argentina have suffered a major set-back. A knee injury has ruled Santiago Grondona out of the World Cup. Grondona was injured playing for Los Pumas against Spain on Saturday. The match in Madrid was Argentina’s final match before the World Cup.

As he carried the ball, Santiago Grondona went down injured. The injury did not occur in contact. Seeing his teammate in agony, Matías Alemanno yelled for the referee to stop play. Grondona was carried off the field. He left in tears knowing that his World Cup dream was over.

The medic report from the incident confirmed the severity of the injury. Grondona suffered a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament in his left knee. Such an injury requires six months recovery time and can take longer.

Grondona recently signed for a new club. He is moving from Pau in the Top 14 back to the English Premiership. His new home will be the Bristol Bears. He previously played for the Exeter Chiefs and also joined the Newcastle Falcons only to return to Argentina for surgery. It was for the same injury.

Michael Cheika is yet to announce a replacement for Grondona.

Veteran loose head prop Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro is also out of the World Cup. He was ruled out this past Tuesday after he suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in his left leg. Mayco Vivas and Lucio Sordoni joined the team ahead of the test match against Spain and both featured as replacements. One will claim the vacant spot for the World Cup.