Sam Bremner’s hopes of a fairytale comeback for the Jillaroos in Women’s Rugby League World Cup final have been dashed.
Fullback Bremner has fractured her fibula, ruling her out of Saturday’s clash against New Zealand at Suncorp Stadium.
Coach Brad Donald told reporters on Friday he suspected it was probably a consequence of the 25-year-old’s attempts to come back from an earlier injury she sustained, which has stopped her from taking any part in the tournament.
“It could have been something that’s been developing over time, so we’re not 100 per cent sure,” Donald said.
“The doctor and the medical staff have been working really hard to find out what it is.
“We’ve had three or four scans over the last couple of weeks so there’s been a change in that.
“If anyone knows Sammy, she’s worked really hard to get back and it’s actually put more stress on her leg.”
It at least saves Donald from having to make what would have been an agonising selection decision.
Bremner was nearing full fitness and had hoped to play in the final – but it most likely would have come at the expense of Nakia Davis-Welsh, who has fulled in at fullback in her absence and has barely put a foot wrong throughout the entire World Cup.
“Even though this is not how I visioned my World Cup experience to be, I really wouldn’t want to change my journey for anyone else’s,” Bremner wrote on Instagram.
“I couldn’t have a better group of family and friends if I tried. Within this deep disappointment, I still count myself the luckiest girl alive.”
The Jillaroos are due to name their team later on Friday afternoon.