Rich Hughes' honest admission over Australia quartet after frustrating start to Portsmouth careers
The Australian foursome have all suffered an injury-hampered start to their Fratton Park careers
Rich Hughes admits adjusting to the rigours of English football has played a ‘big part’ in an injury-blighted introduction for Pompey’s Australian quartet.
But the sporting director is adamant Jacob Farrell, Adrian Segecic, Hayden Matthews and Thomas Waddingham still possess the ability to thrive in the Championship.
Over the last 18 months, the youngsters have, in turn, left the A-League to test their talents in the Championship - yet, frustratingly, all have subsequently suffered injury since arriving on the south coast.
In the case of Farrell and Waddingham, the length of their absences has been significant and for a variety of issues, with the duo still sidelined.
Matthews’ 2024-25 season was curtailed in February through ankle ligament damage, while summer signing Segecic recently missed four games with an ankle problem.
However, both have been named in John Mousinho’s last three match-day squads, with Segecic starting each fixture.
Nonetheless, Hughes concedes that adapting to the demands of the English game has been challenging for the quartet.
Hughes: ‘It is significantly more intense’
He told The News: ‘It’s really frustrating. It's hard differentiating all four of them, they have all had injuries at various points, but actually Hayden and Segs were from contact moments in games.
‘That is irrelevant to stresses caused by getting used to the intensity, which may have been part of Wadds and Jacob’s injury. So there’s a bit of a difference.
‘They are all good players, they are all players we hoped would help us, that’s why we brought them to the club - it’s just getting them fit, healthy and a clean bill of health.
‘To a point, I think a contribution to the injuries has been adjusting to the English game. The A-league involves 24 matches and then they have a final system. Whereas we are 46 games and a fixture every 2-3 days.
‘That is obviously significantly more intense, which is a big part of it and something for us to be aware of.
‘We must make sure we can equip them as quickly as we can. For instance, our learning has allowed Segs to hit the ground running this season, apart from the injury he picked up through a contact moment.’
A fit-again Matthews has been named in 18 of Pompey’s 19 squads this season, making six appearances, having recovered from his injury.
Left-back Farrell is pencilled in to return from his groin issue before Christmas, after previously undergoing knee surgery since his July 2024 arrival.
While Waddingham, who has featured five times this season, is sidelined with a torn thigh, with a return expected well into the New Year.
‘He’s now ramping up his rehab’
Hughes added: ‘Up until Wadds’ injury, he had featured in every game and was well-liked and a big part of the group, but what that does is throw up opportunities.
‘Makenzie has played more than we may have envisaged, but it has also given Mak a great chance - and he has taken that with both hands as well.
‘Wadds recently went back to Australia to spend some time with his family. He’s now ramping up his rehab, so it's just a case of building up his fitness and resistance to training, with stress resistance to it.
‘We need to get him back fit, get him back going, and hopefully he can affect the team at the back end of the season.’