SCOTLAND have been dealt a serious blow to their World Cup prospects after NRL star Peter Wallace was ruled out through injury.
The Penrith Panthers man broke three ribs and his hand and has been ruled out of the forthcoming tournament.
Coach Steve McCormack admitted losing the versatile Wallace, who can play at hooker or half-back, is a blow while underlining it was a circumstance they have faced before.
“It’s disappointing we won’t have Peter as he is a class act but we have managed without him for the last three years and done well,” he said.
“We have some very talented hookers and just like when anyone gets injured, an opportunity opens up for someone else. There are several players in our squad who got their first opportunity because of injury to another player and they took it with both hands.
“We’ve had to regenerate the squad before and people will see some new players in this squad, too.
"It’s normal. We had it in 2008 and we had it after 2013, losing all three hookers - Fisher, Henderson, Henderson. We’ve built three teams for three World Cups and that’s been quite smooth really.”
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