by ldh2013 » Wed Jun 15, 2016 8:32 am
AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Five seconds is all it took, Drew Mitchell says, for him to think his Rugby World Cup dream was over when he saw the unnatural angle of his dangling right foot after colliding with an opponent during a Super 15 match in April. . Having dislocated his ankle and broken a leg bone only 140 days before the start of the tournament, that pessimism was understandable. On Thursday, however, Mitchells remarkable feat just to make Australias squad was topped by the 27-year-old winger winning selection on the reserves bench for the critical Pool C match against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday. "Its funny how you guys ask a lot of players early in the season when were involved in Super rugby: Are you looking forward to the World Cup? And everyone says their focus is there in the moment," Mitchell said. "I was one of those players. I sort of was in the moment. But five seconds after (the injury), looking at it and seeing the position it was in, its funny how quickly my thoughts went to the World Cup." Australia coach Robbie Deans thoughts would have been as equally despondent. After all, the prospect of losing a player who scored seven tries in five matches to be the second most prolific at the 2007 World Cup and who collected a hat trick in his last test outing, the 59-16 thrashing of France in November, would give any coach with a sinking sense of dread. What followed for Mitchell was a demanding and monotonous program of rehabilitation that tested his resolve and desire to return. "For me, it was really important that I hung onto that hope of returning," he said. "To get through those long, tedious days, I really had to hang on to the fact I was a chance. If they had told me, See you in February for the Waratahs, I dont know if Id be up and running just yet. "That was a really big thing for me, just to be able to use that as a carrot to get back and get through all that rehab and all the stuff you dont like doing." Mitchells first full match upon his return was for the Australia Barbarians against Canada late last month -- nine days after being selected in the World Cup squad, in a remarkable show of faith by Deans -- and he scored one try and set up two others to quell any lingering anxiety. Having lost Digby Ioane to a fractured thumb until at least the World Cup quarterfinals, Deans is doubly grateful to be able to call upon a winger of Mitchells pedigree. "Its great for Drew and its a good story," Deans said. "For him to get himself into the squad was a good achievement. Now hes got the opportunity to pull a jersey on." That opportunity marks the end of what Mitchell describes as "a pretty long road," but the real hard work may only just be beginning. "I guess its pretty satisfying to be in a position Im in," he said. "Its been a bit of a journey and one I never had to contemplate before. Im somewhat proud of myself to get back to this position, but Ive got to go out and do a job on the weekend as part of the group." . - The Oakland Raiders have promoted running back George Atkinson III from the practice squad and placed cornerback Carlos Rogers on season-ending injured reserve. . Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans ended up with the bigger problem. .Darling made 32 saves in his NHL debut, Jonathan Toews and Brent Seabrook scored, and the Chicago Blackhawks snapped a two-game losing streak with a 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night.TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have placed defensive end DaQuan Bowers on injured reserve and filled the roster opening by signing defensive lineman Scott Solomon. Bowers is a third-year pro who had a disappointing season, finishing with seven tackles and one sack. He sat out last weeks losss at St. . Louis with a sore knee and becomes the 16th player the Bucs have placed on injured reserve this year. Solomon was a seventh-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2012. He appeared in 13 games with the Titans as a rookie and one game this season with the New York Jets. ' ' '
