Canavan May Have To Kiss Wa Clash Goodbye
Illawarra Mercury
Tuesday April 21, 1998
Illawarra representative rugby league captain Adam Canavan is likely to miss Sunday's vital clash with Western Australia after undergoing surgery on a torn lip on Sunday night.
The giant Collegians forward had to have 22 stitches, eight internal, after an incident during the opening minutes of last weekend's Illawarra Carlton League trial match against Western Suburbs.
Canavan returned to work yesterday - he's a butcher - but said most of his week would be spent nursing his injury in time for the first round of the Country Championships. Illawarra plays WA at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
"I'm in until I tell Ballo otherwise," a determined Canavan said yesterday. Neil Ballinger is the Illawarra coach.
Canavan returned to training last night with the representative team. He admits he fears for his chances of returning to the paddock this weekend, but would leave the decision until later in the week.
Canavan said he went to make a tackle on Western Suburbs player Craig Dockett when he was hit with an elbow in the opening minutes of the trial game. The tackle didn't look too bad from the sideline.
"It was just one of those things I suppose, but the worse thing is the timing ... I might not get to play on the weekend," he said.
"When I went to hospital the doctor wouldn't touch it. He said it would have to be operated on. I've had better days."
© 1998 Illawarra Mercury