At the Toulouse Stadium,
The scene, which occurred this Friday evening in the 18th minute of this World Cup match, froze a Toulouse audience who were still hot as embers despite the pouring rain. The Namibians had already conceded two tries from New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard, and the score was 12-3, when center Le Roux Malan attempted a tackle on All Black fullback Beauden Barrett. But the 24-year-old slipped on the soaked pitch and did not get up.
The terrible images already said enough about the seriousness of the injury to his right leg. “We are still waiting for the precise assessment but according to our doctor it could be an ankle fracture,” said Allister Coetzee, the South African coach of the Welwitschias, at a press conference. We cannot anticipate these kinds of injuries. I don’t think it changed the outcome of the match. »
Indeed, with a final score of 71-3… On the other hand, Le Roux Malan finished his evening and has already finished his World Cup. He was taken care of with great precaution by the medical staff, then evacuated on a stretcher and in a cart to the applause of his partners and opponents, but also to an ovation from the public, who supported the “little” Namibians all the way. at the end. Great lord, All Blacks coach Ian Foster had a thought for him in front of the media.
A replacement expected before France – Namibia
During his exit, an oxygen mask attached to his face, the center of the American club New England Free Jacks tried to raise his arm to reassure the audience, and especially his loved ones, but his face said a lot about his pain. A replacement should arrive before his selection’s next match, Thursday against the French XV in Marseille.