Joe Pincus' horror injury in club rugby forces broadcasters to cut live coverage
The former Melbourne Rebels player suffered a devastating leg injury in Eastwood's clash with Manly.
It was the rugby injury that forced live television to cut its coverage. Former Australian Olympic 7s and Melbourne Rebels star Joe Pincus was left with a badly fractured and dislocated ankle after being dragged down in a tackle during a Sydney club match between Eastwood and Manly at Manly Oval on Saturday.
The Woodies fullback sped through a gap midway through the first half before being stopped in his tracks in a hard but legal tackle. Pincus' right leg appeared to get trapped underneath his body and there was immediate concern for his well-being as he lay on the ground in obvious pain.
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Stan Sport's live coverage picked up an audible gasp from the crowd as one spectator, just metres from the incident, covered her mouth and looked away in shock as the extent of Pincus' injury became apparent. Others turned their back, unable to watch.
The game was held up for around an hour as medical staff from both teams gave the distressed Pincus pain relief while awaiting the arrival of an ambulance. Stan Sport commentator Marc Summers remarked "this does not look good" as the coverage went to a blank screen with the words 'Break in Broadcast' showing without audio.
The game – and coverage – eventually resumed around an hour after the injury, close to the time the game was originally meant to finish. A shaken Eastwood regathered their composure after giving up a 20-point lead to come from behind and secure an emotional 27-24 win.
Players and officials shaken by awful Joe Pincus incident
The 27-year-old Pincus, who represented his country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where he was operated on the next morning. "I felt really bad for Joe. It's pretty shattering given the run he's had (with injuries)," Wallaby, Rebels and Manly star Reece Hodge told Yahoo Sport Australia. "Obviously we are wishing him all the best."
Manly skipper Hunter Ward added: "It was a terrible thing to happen and as a team we were all very gutted for him and definitely wishing him a strong and fast recovery." Eastwood general manager Robert Frost confirmed on Sunday: "I'm on the phone to the doctor as we speak and Joe is being operated on today.
"He's a good kid dealing with it as well as can be expected. He's in good spirits and in the best of surgical hands at hospital. We'd like to thank the match officials, both clubs and the players and crowd for dealing with the situation in a calm and professional manner."
Eastwood and Manly will meet again in the first week of the Shute Shield finals next Sunday after finishing third and fourth respectively on the ladder.
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