Ben McCalman’s horror run of injuries has continued with the Warren product facing yet more time on the sidelines for the Western Force.
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The Wallabies enforcer broke his right shoulder twice last season while on Wallabies duties, and the problem resurfaced following his sole Super Rugby appearance this season in round seven.
The 29-year-old made it through the win over the Kings, but has been sidelined ever since with shoulder pain.
It caps a frustrating time for McCalman, who missed the first chunk of the season after undergoing surgery to fix a dislocated thumb.
But despite all his woes, the time on the sideline has given the back rower a chance to get out into the rugby union community in Perth.
The Force is one of the two clubs, alongside the Melbourne Rebels, which is battling to stay in existence with the Australian Rugby Union set to scrap one at the end of this Super Rugby season.
But McCalman told rugby.com.au he continues to love life in the west and his club side
“The support we have over here is immense and every weekend they turn up and support us and it’s a very good crowd to play in front of.
“Also, the players we develop here as well, local players. I’m not from Perth and not a local player but I started my rugby career here and was picked up and played 49 tests now for Australia.
“It’s a great opportunity to play here and be seen by all national coaches and an opportunity to play for your country.”
McCalman has already consulted one surgeon about his latest shoulder setback, and he'll see another one in Melbourne for a second opinion.
Medical experts are unsure whether the damage is nerve related or structural, and McCalman won't play again until they can get to the bottom of his issues.
The injury setbacks mean McCalman, and fellow injured Force star Dane Haylett-Petty, are both facing a race against time to play in the Wallabies' home fixtures against Fiji, Scotland and Italy in June.
Winger Luke Morahan also appears set for a stint on the sidelines after suffering a fracture near his eye socket in the loss to the Chiefs.
Morahan will meet with a surgeon before determining whether he needs to have a plate inserted.
Lock Adam Coleman, flanker Angus Cottrell, prop Jermaine Ainsley and star winger Chance Peni are also on the medical table at the moment, leaving the Force in the midst of an injury crisis.
However, Peni’s injury isn’t as bad as feared and he looks set to return at the tail-end of the season.
