Salvi ruled out of dance-off

Julian Salvi (Getty Images)

Navy Canberra Vikings flanker Julian Salvi has been ruled out of tonight’s dance-off challenge against team mate Francis Fainifo.

Salvi took a knock on his right knee during a training session on Wednesday forcing medical staff to withdraw the 21 year old from the event to ensure he can take his place for the Navy Canberra Vikings in their match against the Central Coast Rays at Manuka Oval on Sunday.

As a result the dance-off will be postponed until a later date.

Navy Canberra Vikings team doctor Warren McDonald says they had no choice but to pull him from the event.

“Julian took a blow to his knee at the end of yesterday’s training session,” he said. “We’ve monitored it to see how it would react to treatment but had no choice but to pull him from the dance-off so that he can take the field on Sunday.”

Salvi says he’s disappointed at having to postpone the showdown.

“I’m absolutely gutted,” he said. “I’ve put a lot of work into preparing myself for the dance-off and to have it taken away from me in this fashion is devastating. I know I had Franky exactly where I wanted him; I was in the zone and ready to land the killer blow tonight.

“But this isn’t the end of it, this dance-off will happen. I’ll be back on the dance floor bigger and better than before – watch out Fainifo!”

Fainifo says claims Salvi’s withdrawal is a last-minute ploy.

“This is just typical of Salvi,” he said. “Who else makes a challenge and then backs out like this? He’s running scared, there’s no other way to say it.

“To be honest this only makes me more determined to win it… if he ever musters the courage to show up.”

The Navy Canberra Vikings take on the Central Coast Rays at Manuka Oval on Sunday, 16 September. General Admission tickets for Mazda ARC matches are currently on sale from Canberra Ticketek and all Ticketek agencies.