Kangaroos winger Josh Mansour has gone from celebrating his wedding to a tour-ending knee injury
KANGAROOS winger Josh Mansour faces a long stint on the sidelines three weeks after celebrating his wedding. Listen to our exclusive podcast with Mal Meninga!
Panthers
Don't miss out on the headlines from Panthers. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THREE weeks ago Josh Mansour was celebrating the happiest day of his life as he married long-time partner Daniella Toutounji.
On Thursday the Penrith winger’s world came crashing down after suffering a serious knee injury during a freak training ground accident.
Mansour was left writhing in pain after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament that cruelly ended his Four Nations campaign and throws his 2017 NRL season in doubt.
Australia coach Mal Meninga described it as a shattering blow for the Panthers speedster, who collided with teammate Josh Dugan during a skills drill at the Kangaroos’ final session at the $170 million St George’s Park facility at the end of a small-sided touch football game.
Mansour appeared to shield the ball after a kick as Dugan attempted to score a try.
“It’s very unfortunate. It was the last play of our little skill game. It was inconsequential and look what happened. It has put him out of a tour,” Meninga said.
“It’s a big hole. (He was) one of the form wingers last season. He was extraordinarily good last weekend. He would have had an opportunity to cement that left wing spot this week. We feel for him. It’s a bit shattering.”
Four Nations Podcast: Michael Carayannis talks to Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga about the fallout of Josh Mansour’s tour-ending knee injury:
Mansour made a barnstorming Test return against Scotland, scoring two tries and running for a game-high 247 metres in Australia’s 54-12 win.
His injury will give Blake Ferguson a reprieve to play New Zealand, after he was initially overlooked for a wing spot for Mansour and Valentine Holmes.
Holmes is likely to replace Mansour on the left wing where he can rekindle the combination with Greg Inglis that terrorised the Kiwis in Perth last month.
Meninga is reluctant to bring another player into the squad, but his hand will be forced should the Kangaroos suffer another injury to an outside back.
“The common sense approach would be to keep the squad together and give someone an opportunity if we’re put in that situation again,” Meninga said. “A lot of players back home wouldn’t have trained for a number of weeks and haven’t played for five or six weeks, maybe longer.
“We’ve got some good options (in the squad). Darius (Boyd) can play wing, (Matt) Moylan fullback. The other way around, Moylan could play on the wing with Darbs at fullback. Josh Dugan has played right wing. Ferguson has played left wing recently in PNG. We’ve got enough. Justin O’Neill can play on the wing, left and right.”
Meninga continues to tinker with his squad, resting halfback Cooper Cronk for the Kiwis clash. Meninga wanted to give Cronk a “spell” with Michael Morgan to line up alongside club comrade Johnathan Thurston.
“He has played a lot of footy lately,” Meninga said of Cronk. “He has had a big year. We didn’t play John last week, he is fresh as a daisy. It’s about caring for the players and looking after them. We want to send them back to the club’s in a healthy state.
“It’s a mental refresh for Cooper. To get him ready for the English.”
O’Neill will also get another crack at Test football after making his debut against Scotland, playing at right centre with Dugan rested. Meninga has named a 19-man squad with James Maloney, Jake Friend and Matt Moylan battling for a bench spot.
“(I get) another look at Justin,” Meninga said. “Josh has the frontrunning. He has played in all three games this year. I have high regard for him. He is a smart player.”
The Kangaroos travelled to Birmingham on Thursday.
KANGAROOS: Darius Boyd, Valentine Holmes, Greg Inglis, Justin O’Neill, Blake Ferguson, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk, Matt Scott, Cameron Smith, Aaron Woods, Matt Gillett, Boyd Cordner, Trent Merrin. Bench: Shannon Boyd, David Klemmer, Sam Thaiday, Jake Friend, Matt Moylan, James Maloney (two to be omitted).
Originally published as Kangaroos winger Josh Mansour has gone from celebrating his wedding to a tour-ending knee injury
Cleary reveals why Gould sacked him
Ivan Cleary has revealed he hasn’t spoken to Phil Gould - the man who sacked him - in five years. Cleary opens up like never before.
Cleary’s ‘magic’ proposal to salvage World Club Challenge
After the premiership-winning Panthers opted to abandon playing the prestigious World Club Challenge, superstar halfback Nathan Cleary has offered a way to salvage the fixture against English powerhouse Wigan Warriors.