Australia’s injury concerns have eased somewhat, but Radike Samo may still start on the wing against Russia as the Wallabies limp towards the Rugby World Cup’s knockout rounds.
Although No.8 Wycliff Palu was ruled out of the tournament on Tuesday with a recurring hamstring injury, coach Robbie Deans was hopeful Pat McCabe (shoulder) would be back for Australia’s likely quarter-final with South Africa and that fellow centre Rob Horne (cheekbone) could return for the semis.
Deans’ more immediate dilemma was conjuring 22 players for Saturday’s final Pool C clash with Russia in Nelson.
Just like last week against the US, Deans only has 24 fit troops to pick from, although centre Anthony Faingaa could yet be available as well if he meets the IRB’s strict concussion guidelines.
“It could have been worse in totality, but obviously it couldn’t have been any worse for Cliffy,” Deans said.
Just to be safe, given the squad’s diminishing backline stocks, the Wallabies will wait until after the Russia game before deciding on a replacement for Palu.
Flankers Matt Hodgson and Beau Robinson and midfielders Ben Tapuai and 92-Test discard Matt Giteau remain the most likely options.
First and foremost, Deans and assistants Jim Williams and David Nucifora must settle on a starting XV and seven reserves to face Russia.
Victory over the eastern European lightweights is a fait accompli, despite what the Wallabies say, but just who runs out for Australia is anyone’s guess.
With fullback Kurtley Beale (hamstring) being rested as a precaution and winger Digby Ioane (thumb) not due back until the quarter-finals, outside backs are scarce.
Samo, who began his Super Rugby career with the Brumbies on the wing more than a decade ago before moving into the forwards, finished last Friday’s game on the right flank.
The big Fijian showed sufficient pace to bag a try and, consequently, found himself on the wing for Australia’s first training session of the week on Tuesday.
James O’Connor, returning from a hamstring strain, looks set to start at fullback, with Drew Mitchell staying on the left wing and Adam Ashley-Cooper and Berrick Barnes to pair up in the centres.
Nick Phipps, who trained at halfback on Tuesday, or Luke Burgess, will partner Quade Cooper in the halves, allowing Deans to keep Will Genia in cotton wool.
With Samo on the wing and Palu gone, Scott Higginbotham is likely to be handed the No.8 jumper after recovering from a back injury, while skipper James Horwill could be asked to play at blindside flanker.
Whether Ben McCalman gets another crack at No.7 depends on whether Deans chooses to risk David Pocock, who is eager to return from his back injury.
Master Nathan Sharpe and apprentice Rob Simmons will probably form the second row, while James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, after recovering from the flu, and Sekope Kepu are favoured to start in the front row.
Anthony Faingaa was knocked cold in the last tackle of the game against America, but isn’t totally out of the running this week.
“Ant has recovered remarkably well,” Deans said.
“He’s going through all the IRB concussion protocols and it appears he could even be available to us this weekend, but that will be resolved during the week.”
After two blissful days of R & R in the alpine village of Hanmer Springs, Deans reminded his Wallabies it was “back to work” now.
“From this point on, it’s very finite,” he said.
“Every week there will be teams going home and the moment you lose you have to leave the country within 24 hours, so that’s a pretty immediate reality.”
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