Scott Gale likely to miss remainder of NRC with QLD Country, hurting Reds hopes

SCOTT Gale’s mission to become Will Genia’s Reds understudy has been rocked by an ankle injury that could rule him out for the rest of the NRC.

Scott Gale of the Reds during the Super Rugby match between the Queensland Reds and the New South Wales Waratahs. Pic Darren England.

Scott Gale’s mission to become Will Genia’s Reds understudy has been rocked by an ankle injury that could rule him out for the rest of the National Rugby Championship.

A careless act from an opponent in the weekend’s loss to Canberra will sideline the Reds and Queensland Country halfback for up to six weeks, which would almost certainly end his NRC campaign.

Gale was shepherding the ball as it rolled towards the dead-ball line when a Vikings opponent slid into his legs and rolled his ankle.

With the Super Rugby pre-season looming, it was an injury Gale could ill afford as he strives to add to his one start for the Reds.

GPS halfback Sam Grasso is expected to be promoted to the run-on side for Country’s home game against North Harbour on Saturday night at Cbus Super Stadium.

After consecutive losses to start the NRC, Country captain Anthony Faingaa is searching for the players to deliver on their experience from the first two matches.

“We’ve got to find some positives,” he said.

“Our focus is to come to training, wanting to become better, wanting to learn.

“We don’t have many Super Rugby players so everything’s new and we have to make sure the details are correct.”

Originally published as Scott Gale likely to miss remainder of NRC with QLD Country, hurting Reds hopes