Rugby: Rooney's season could be over

Luke Rooney tries to get a pass away to Jason Shoemark. Photo / APN

Marquee signing Luke Rooney's Hawkes Bay rugby season may be over.

Magpies co-coach Peter Russell said he had yet to receive a final report on Rooney's groin injury but it was possible it was a season ender.

Rooney hasn't played in the ITM Cup since the fourth-round loss to Southland.

Should the report give Rooney the thumbs down, it will be a cruel blow to the former Australian league star who hasn't had the opportunity to redeem himself for a mediocre pre-season campaign with the Magpies and a quiet start to the ITM Cup.

Big things were expected from the former Kangaroo and New South Wales State of Origin representative who had a two-season stint with French Top 14 club Toulon before arriving in the Bay in July. But he hasn't delivered in either the fullback or wing positions.

Rooney's injury is one of several to hit the Magpies in the buildup to today's seventh round clash against Waikato at Napier's McLean Park.

"It's been a s*** of a week for injuries," said Russell.

Anthony Perenise will miss the game with his calf injury.

Fellow prop Kaas Lealamanua returned from his neck injury to full training this week but injured his back which forced his withdrawal from this week's squad.

Already on the injured list is fullback Mark Jackman, who is out for the next fortnight at least with his ankle injury and inside back Andrew Horrell who is likely to miss the rest of the season with his elbow injury.

New Zealand Maori representative Clint Newland will switch from loosehead prop to tighthead to replace Perenise and Josh Keys will replace Newland at loosehead.

Other changes to the pack which started in last weekend's loss to Otago see Leighton Price replace Ross Kennedy at lock and New Zealand Maori openside flanker Karl Lowe return from his hamstring injury to replace Trent Boswell-Wakefield.

Changes to the backline see Crusaders halfback Kahn Fotuali'i replace Chris Eaton, former All Black Zac Guildford switch from the left wing to the right, where he replaces his cousin Gillies Kaka, who replaces Jackman at fullback, Richard Buckman switches from centre to left wing, captain Jason Shoemark moves out one spot to centre and Ryan McLeod will start in the No 12 jersey.

Russell said the Price-Kennedy switch was a rotational move.

He described the return of Fotuali'i as "a technical change".

"We were happy with what Chris Eaton did against Otago and we're likely to use him in the second half against Waikato." Excitement machine Kaka's switch to fullback will be watched with interest.

Many pundits felt he should have been used there earlier this season ahead of Rooney.

McLeod has the ability to provide more thrust to the Magpies go-forward play and Russell said moving Shoemark out will allow the hosts to use the captain's decision-making skills and left boot out wider.

Guildford's switch is aimed at allowing him to use his kick-and-chase plays more - as well as his dangerously effective outside swerve.

World champion New Zealand under-20 player Star Timu replaces McLeod on the bench and should MAC's Hawkes Bay Development team prop Whetu Barber get game time off the bench it will be his first-class debut for the Magpies.

- APN