Super Rugby: Knee injury sidelines Waratahs star Adam Ashley-Cooper for at least a month

ADAM Ashley-Cooper’s knee injury is worse than first thought and the Waratahs star is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

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ADAM Ashley-Cooper’s knee injury is worse than first thought and the Waratahs star is expected to be sidelined for at least a month.

While the knee injury that forced him to miss last weekend’s victory over Queensland was originally diagnosed as a Baker’s cyst, it has now been discovered that the centre tore a knee tendon.

It is an unusual injury, not commonly seen in sports, so medical staff have decided to take a cautious approach and earmark his return for the Stormers match in Sydney, which comes after their Easter weekend bye.

That would see Ashley-Cooper miss this weekend’s trip to Dunedin to face the Highlanders, then the crucial grudge match against his former club the Brumbies, and the game against the Blues in round seven.

Given it is a World Cup year, Waratahs and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika would also be mindful of the hectic schedule ahead for one of his on-field leaders and is unlikely to want to hasten his return if there is a chance of further inflaming it.

Matt Carraro did a stellar job filling Ashley-Cooper’s boots last weekend at Suncorp Stadium and has been waiting for an opportunity to get an extended run in the starting side.

He is likely to get that chance over the next three weeks as NSW looks to leap the Brumbies into top spot in the Australian conference.

Originally published as Super Rugby: Knee injury sidelines Waratahs star Adam Ashley-Cooper for at least a month