{"id":26630,"date":"2022-06-29T15:10:31","date_gmt":"2022-06-29T19:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26630"},"modified":"2022-06-29T15:10:34","modified_gmt":"2022-06-29T19:10:34","slug":"farrell-downbeat-on-cian-healys-leg-injury","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26630","title":{"rendered":"Farrell Downbeat On Cian Healy’s Leg Injury"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Veteran prop Healy, who came off the bench after international rookie Jeremy Loughman required a head injury assessment, left the pitch on a medical cart having twisted awkwardly (PA Archive\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell admitted Cian Healy\u2019s leg injury \u201cdoesn\u2019t look too good\u201d following an emphatic 32-17 defeat by the Maori All Blacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Veteran prop Healy, who came off the bench after international rookie Jeremy Loughman required a head injury assessment, left the pitch on a medical cart having twisted awkwardly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the front-row pair are ruled out of Saturday\u2019s opening Test against New Zealand, Andrew Porter would be Ireland\u2019s only available loosehead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrell, who fielded an experimental starting XV in Hamilton, also lost center James Hume to injury, while full-back Jimmy O\u2019Brien sustained a knock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCian doesn\u2019t look too good\u2026 he was in a bit of pain coming off the field,\u201d said Farrell. \u201c(The injury) has settled down a bit so we will have to see with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJeremy actually passed his HIA (head injury assessment) by the independent doctor. We brought him off as a precaution, put Cian on and then that happens to Cian, which is not nice really.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJimmy came off with a strain. He\u2019s feeling good in the changing rooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJames Hume has a bit of a groin injury that needs assessment tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrell is set to name his team for the weekend clash with the All Blacks on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While Porter has established himself as first-choice in the Irish number one jersey, the potential lack of cover is a concern. Connacht\u2019s Finlay Bealham has featured at loosehead before in international rugby but is a recognized tighthead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ireland suffered a punishing start to their tour after an unfamiliar team featuring five uncapped players were dismantled in the opening period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dominant Maoris \u2013 who began with 10 debutants \u2013 ran in four tries to effectively wrap up victory by the break.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scores from stand-in skipper Bundee Aki and the impressive Gavin Coombes either side of half-time were scant consolation for the Irish, who at least kept out their opponents in the second period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Farrell will swiftly turn his attention to taking on the All Blacks in Auckland, where he will bring back his senior players and hope for a far greater showing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re disappointed, the boys are disappointed, obviously,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey feel they could have given a better account of themselves, certainly in the first half. The Maori team 100 per cent deservedly won that game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m proud of the boys, the way they came back. It could have been a landslide with the way the score was at half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe way that some of the individuals have learned, stood up, done some unbelievably good stuff and then some really poor stuff on the back of that is brilliant learnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIn all, it\u2019s a good day for us in regards to lads learning lessons and knowing that if we fix a few things, especially discipline-wise, we can give a better account of ourselves in the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n

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