Australian prop Matt Scott is racing the clock to be fit for next month’s rugby league Test against New Zealand after the North Queensland co-captain was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his foot.
Scott, the standout front-rower in the NRL over the past two seasons, is hoping to return for the Cowboys’ round seven clash against the Sydney Roosters, with the Test team to be named the next day in Sydney.
He suffered the injury during the first half of Saturday night’s loss to Cronulla, but played through the pain to chalk up 171 metres and 35 tackles in 64 minutes.
“He pulled up very sore after the game,” Cowboys coach Neil Henry said, with Ashton Sims to take Scott’s starting spot against Canberra on Monday and Ricky Thorby coming onto the bench.
“(It’s) a tear to a ligament in the top of his left foot so he’ll be in a boot for about a week … it’s one of those things that’s week-by-week but it could be a 2-3 week injury.”
Asked if it could put his Test jumper in jeopardy, Henry said:
“It will if he’s still injured. These injuries can hang around, I think Ash Graham had a similar injury a few years back and it took him four to six weeks.”
Softening the potential blow for Test selectors was news out of the Canberra camp that front-rower David Shillington’s oblique injury suffered in Monday night’s win over Wests Tigers was not as bad as first thought, with the initial diagnosis being a 2-3 week layoff.
Shillington, a Test candidate with or without Scott being available, has been named to face the Cowboys, with a fitness test later this week to decide his fate.
Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne returns from a knee injury for the winless Eels for their match against premiers Manly on Saturday night, veteran Luke Burt making way as he heads for another stint in the NSW Cup.
South Sydney coach Michael Maguire has reshuffled his pack, with departing back-rower David Taylor shunted to the interchange to accommodate Eddy Pettybourne in the starting line-up for Sunday’s SCG clash with Wests Tigers.
“We’re just looking at performance … when games aren’t going your way you’ve got to look at the team itself,” Maguire said of the decision to demote Taylor.
“You’ve got to perform to make sure you’re getting in the team.”
Winger Akuila Uate returns from a hip injury for Newcastle’s trip south to play Melbourne on Friday night, with Adam Cuthbertson also named on an extended bench after missing Sunday’s win over Canterbury.
St George Illawarra will be without veteran centre Matt Cooper for the next two matches due to an ankle injury, with Beau Scott named to take his place where he will mark up on Brisbane ace Justin Hodges at Suncorp Stadium.
Dale Copley beat out Dane Gagai for the Broncos wing spot left vacant by Jharal Yow Yeh’s injury.
Kris Keating was named to replace injured Canterbury halfback Trent Hodkinson for Sunday’s trip to face Gold Coast, the Titans with their own playmaking woes with skipper Scott Prince to miss the game with a bicep injury.
Jordan Rankin will take Prince’s place.
