Flatley's future unclear
ByReuters
Published 26/08/2005 at 05:38 GMT
The playing future of Australia's fly half Elton Flatley is in doubt after he was ordered to take a break from the game because of neurological problems. Flatley was forced to pull out of last weekend's international against South Africa after complaining of blurred vision before the kick-off.
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He was ordered to undergo medical tests this week and Australia's team doctor Martin Raftery announced on Friday that the specialists all agreed Flatley needed to take a long break.
"Investigations suggest the blurred vision is related to prior concussive episodes and the best thing for Elton is to have the opportunity to recover fully and this means a period away from contact training," Raftery said in a statement released by the Australian Rugby Union.
"Elton has already seen a specialist in Melbourne earlier this year, as well as a doctor in Brisbane, and an eye specialist this week.
"He will continue to seek the best advice available and needs time to fully recover before we can evaluate him further."
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, reluctant to speculate on Flatley's long-term prospects, said the gifted utility back had already been ruled out of next week's Tri-nations match with New Zealand in Auckland and was almost certain to miss this year's end-of-season trip to Europe.
"Our main concern has always been for Elton's health and the advice suggests he needs to take a break from the game at the moment," Jones said.
"We don't know how long a break that is, but at this stage it is highly unlikely he would be available for selection for the Spring tour, and the earliest we would see him back is for the (Queensland) Reds in the Super 14 next year."
Flatley, 28, made his test debut against England in 1997 and has forged a reputation as a fearless player despite weighing just 90 kilograms and standing 1.78 metres tall.
He kicked four high-pressure penalties to force the 2003 World Cup final against England into extra-time but his health problems have restricted him to just five appearances off the bench in the two years since.
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