Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs leaves the field after damaging his knee during the round 10 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images.
Aaron Cruden of the Chiefs leaves the field after damaging his knee during the round 10 Super Rugby match between the Crusaders and the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images.
The rugby World Cup is still 28 days away but for some of the game's top players the dream has already died. But who is definitely out and who will be fit in time for the big show? Chris Rattue runs the rule over rugby's broken players.
NEW ZEALAND
Nathan Harris Apparently still in the frame, which is something of an indictment on the other contenders for the third hooker's spot. He's barely out of base camp in his test career, and has been sidelined in 2015 with an ankle problem and mysterious toe injury. Roared back to life for Bay of Plenty in the opening ITM Cup round, and who knows from here?
Charlie Faumuina The big prop dropped out of All Black sight because of a neck injury and surgery in late June, and test rookie Nepo Laulala progressed very well in his absence. But Faumuina's ball carrying and athleticism is prized and an Auckland training ground concussion this week is a setback. Stay tuned.
Aaron Cruden A knee injury and surgery in May put him out of the World Cup - noises about recovering in time to be a standby option were more in hope than reality.
Patrick Tuipulotu Not an option, but his absence does still loom large. The athletic Auckland colossus was ruled out by a hip injury long ago and the subsequent struggles to find a quality fourth lock means veteran loosie Jerome Kaino will probably be the back-up.
Waisake Naholo The wing remains in the selection hunt despite a leg fracture suffered on his test debut against Argentina in mid-July. Probably more of a standby option though, because he won't be ready by tournament kickoff.
Thierry Dusautoir The inspirational 33-year-old French captain, missing from the warm-up matches against England, should return from a leg injury against Scotland early next month. French coach Philippe Saint-Andre says Dusautoir - who had an awesome 2011 final - will be fit for the World Cup. French hopes would plummet without the loose forward who some suggest is as much coach as captain.
WALES Liam Williams The highly regarded outside back had foot surgery in June but is expected to return for the tournament. Leigh Halfpenny's goalkicking makes him the likely fullback with Williams' attacking ability moved to the wing.
Samson Lee The Welsh scrum is in serious trouble, especially if tighthead Lee hasn't recovered from the ruptured Achilles suffered during the Six Nations. Lee is so important - especially after veteran "hair bear" Adam Jones quit his test career when coach Warren Gatland dropped him - that he may be included if not fully fit by kickoff.
George North The world class power wing is continually monitored after three quick concussions last season which saw him stood down for 10 weeks. He has resumed full contact training with Wales, who have a return warm-up game against Ireland next week and play Italy soon after their 31-man World Cup squad is named.
Jonathan Davies The major Welsh casualty who was ruled out of the tournament months ago because of a knee injury.
SOUTH AFRICA
Duane Vermeulen A major concern for Heyneke Meyer, given Vermeulen's ability. The Springboks' top No. 8 had neck surgery last month and is rated a good prospect by team doctor Craig Roberts but Meyer is still worried about his lack of game time.
JP Pietersen Recovery from a hamstring injury has not gone as well as hoped and the clever wing was a late scratching against the All Blacks last month. Must be some doubt over his World Cup impact.
Jean de Villiers Springboks doctor Craig Roberts is a busy man, media wise, because of their injury toll. He says the widely respected captain will recover just in time from a broken jaw, suffered against the Pumas on his comeback from an eight-month layoff because of a knee injury. His leadership and toughness are revered but could the Springboks be erring in their desperation to get him on the field, especially with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel forming such a promising centre partnership?
Jean De Villiers. photo / Getty Images.
Marcell Coetzee The loose forward is probably the most doubtful of the 'Boks after suffering a medial ligament injury against Argentina.
Fourie du Preez The star halfback has been chilling out in Japanese rugby and last pulled on the Springboks jersey in mid 2014. A knee injury prevented his return against Argentina, but the veteran's selection is written in stone by coach Meyer.
Willie le Roux The gifted fullback is so unique that his presence has a major impact on the game plan. Le Roux suffered an ankle injury in the loss to Argentina but should return to the training paddock within a fortnight.
Francois Louw The flanker is due back about now from a "small tear" to his shoulder.
Jannie du Plessis The long time test prop is battling a knee problem.
AUSTRALIA
Rob Simmons Missed the Bledisloe Cup tests after wrist surgery, having gone into the World Cup season dealing with the lingering effects of a shoulder problem. Australia need all the locking resources they can get, and his latest problem let James Horwill remind Michael Cheika of his worth. Simmons is slated to return in the warm-up against the USA in Chicago on September 5.
Ryan Grant The prop was on crutches after the close loss to Ireland but an x-ray revealed no ankle fracture. Further checks are needed though so he remains in some doubt.
Hugh Blake The young Kiwi flanker dislocated a finger on debut against Ireland last week but is already back training.
ARGENTINA
Marcos Ayerza The Pumas' scrum ace has had hamstring problems this year and was a late withdrawal in the return warm-up match against South Africa. He has an important date two weeks before the World Cup opener against the All Blacks - his testimonial game between Leicester and the Pumas. Ayerza is in the the World Cup squad and Argentina will be desperately hoping he gets back to full fitness.
Ramiro Herrera The tighthead prop has made the World Cup squad despite recent knee surgery.
Cian Healy The hugely important Lions prop is a touch and go proposition after neck surgery.
ENGLAND
Alex Corbisiero The injury prone prop's World Cup chances crashed after suffering a back injury on his return to the test arena this month. That leaves Keiran Brookes as England's likely utility prop selection able to play on both sides.
Ben Morgan The impressive No. 8 made a tentative return against France after eight months out following a bad leg fracture. He should be in the World Cup squad but coach Stuart Lancaster will have to take a punt he can find form during the tournament.
Kelly Haimona The big No. 10 - from Bay of Plenty - is apparently out of squad contention because a broken arm took longer than expected to heal. This puts the heat on Tomasso Allan, the remaining experienced first five-eighth.
Simone Favaro/George Biagi The forwards have been cut from looming matches against Scotland allegedly because of shoulder and ankle injuries, although there has been Italian media suggestions there were disagreements with management. (The Italian squad took industrial action in June over World Cup bonus payments.)
FIJI
Napolioni Nalaga The France-based wing - a star in European rugby - is apparently unlikely to make the squad after suffering undisclosed injury problems in the Pacific Cup. It would be a major loss although he could make the standby list.
SAMOA David Lemi Samoa were quick out of the blocks in naming their World Cup 31 with the veteran wing and national captain the major omission because of a longstanding neck problem which also forced him to miss the historic Apia test against the All Blacks. Prop James Johnston and halfback Pele Cowley were two others left out because of injuries.
