New Zealand coach sends classy message to Namibia star after horror injury
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has sent his team’s best wishes to Le Roux Malan after the Namibia player suffered a serious injury at the Rugby World Cup.
Malan was carried off on a stretcher in the first half of the All Blacks’ comfortable 71-3 win over Namibia on Friday night. The centre slipped while trying to tackle New Zealand's Beauden Barrett, leaving his leg in an unnatural position.
He immediately grabbed his right leg and signalled to the touchline for help, with the referee blowing the whistle to stop play. The concern from players on both sides was obvious and, after receiving treatment, the 24-year-old was carried off to warm applause from the crowd in Toulouse.
Foster faced the media after the match and before discussing his team’s performance he sent a message to the Namibia star. “I was really disappointed to see the injury to Le Roux Malan, so our thoughts are with him, I know it looked pretty serious,” he said.
Earlier, New Zealand's official X account had posted: "Our thoughts are with Namibian centre Le Roux Malan. Wishing him all the best with his recovery."
Chelsea hire mental coach behind famous New Zealand rugby "no d***heads" policy
Malan's club side, the New England Free Jacks, posted a statement which read: "Our thoughts and hearts are with our own Le Roux Malan who suffered a lower-body injury while representing Namibia today against the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup.
"The Free Jacks family stands with Le Roux as he navigates the recovery process. We ask that Le Roux is given time and respect as the post-injury process is navigated and thank you everyone for the messages of support for Le Roux."
Le Roux Malan needed oxygen as he left the pitch (LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)An X user called Stef Malan, who claimed to be Le Roux’s brother, replied: “Top Class. I’ve spoken to my brother, he’s obviously gutted, but the strongest person I’ve met in my life & by the sounds of it, this is but the beginning. Thank you for the role you have played in my brothers development and the support and opportunities you have given him.”
Asked how he was, he added: “Not the easiest question to answer (lots of emotions, morphine & pain). But knowing him he will come back even stronger, and fight every day of recovery. Showed it when he broke his ankle at Sharks academy, when he broke his thumb preseason in MLR. Strongest man I know!”
The All Blacks ran in 11 tries to complete a comfortable bounce-back win following their 27-13 defeat by hosts France in the opening match. It wasn’t all straightforward, however, with Ethan de Groot shown a red card late in the game for a high tackle on Adriaan Booysen.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
