Former Newcastle Knight Cooper Vuna will become the latest league convert to make his Wallabies debut after a training injury ruled Joe Tomane out of Saturday night’s clash with Wales.
Fellow code-switcher Tomane was rushed to hospital for scans during Thursday afternoon’s training session after hurting his left ankle at Ballymore.
The scans revealed he had suffered a syndesmosis injury and is expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.
It ends a miserable week for the tackle-busting Brumbies flyer who made his international debut in Tuesday’s shock 9-6 loss to Scotland.
Tomane, who switched codes after stints with Melbourne and Gold Coast in the NRL, had limited opportunities in the wet against the Scots but showed great pace to save a try and good signs of his potential.
“We thought he did very well in his first outing,” coach Robbie Deans said before Tomane’s injury struck.
“He made a lot of constructive contributions. He showed the capability he has in terms of speed and strength and evasiveness, and he’s accurate.
“We see a bright future for Joe.”
After struggling in defence in his debut season with the Melbourne Rebels last year, Vuna has been in strong try-scoring Super Rugby form and will join fellow New Zealand-born winger Digby Ioane in the backline.
Vuna, who will become the 860th player to represent the Wallabies, ran on the right wing with the starting side in training after Tomane’s injury.
The injury news follows a disappointing medical report for Western Force No.8 Ben McCalman who has been omitted from Australia’s squad as he will undergo shoulder surgery and is expected to miss at least the next two months of rugby, if not the rest of the season.
TembaVJ
Guest
Gerrard still has the x-factor, I wont think twice to put him in any of the back 3 spots. He brings what my father calls "surprise rugby" something he believes modern players lack. This combined with pin point kicking and high ball skills... why not, deans has had over 4 years for building depth, time to start winning.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Before superstar status can be achieved first you must nail basic skill-set level 1.
sittingbison
Guest
KPM lets hope he gets to attack with Horne and McCabe inside him
Phil
Guest
I stand corrected he was at 12 against Springboks. But I don't think 12 is harder than the wing, just different. It takes a lot of skill and knowledge of your position and of the game to defend well on the wing. At 12 you don't have to think about coming up or staying back or positioning yourself for kicks and you are often defending critical plays when at high speed or defending an overlap.
Jutsie
Guest
I am surprised foley hasn't had a look in. He certainly has the "x-factor" that has become the buzz word for aus coaches. He would even be handy on the bench.
Jutsie
Guest
He does have x-factor, your right. And he seems like a top bloke, definitely a fan favourite at the rebels. But he needs alot of work before his ready for test rugby, maybe deans and co can provide him with the tutelage but still he shouldnt be thrown into the deep end against monsters like north and cuthbert.
Phil
Guest
He played outside centre not inside.
Red Kev
Guest
I seem to recall he also let in an absolutely soft try as well.
Phil
Guest
I bet you were a Wendell Sailor fan too!
Riccardo
Guest
That's fair Colvin. It was a nice finish. I'd be interested in your assessment of his game from then on in that same match, though.
Phil
Guest
Yep or Foley at fullback with AAC on the wing. Agree with Gerrard comments, his kicking game is outstanding and would be great in a tight test match. Even Kingston ahead of Vuna. He's a proper, hard working, fast winger. Or Jesse Mogg. Vuna doesn't have a rugby brain.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
colvin be careful it's dangerous to say the truth on here sometimes.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
One difference is that Tahu had played only an injury-ravaged shorter Super rugby season while Vuna although sometimes injured has played two both of which were longer. Inside centre is also a far harder position to defend than wing.
colvin
Guest
Well whatever. But Cooper Vuna scored an absolutely cracking try against the Hurricanes a few weeks ago. This fellow has the X-factor and if handled right could become a superstar WB.
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
Can't really compare the two. Tahu's Bok outting was at altitude and the Boks exposed his lack of positional play. Sadly he demonstrated he was a mentally fragile character on and off the field. I still thought it was a tough initiation from Deans though. Vuna in Brisbane should go well. Besides he looks and sounds like he is really enjoying his Rugby, whereas Tahu never did.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Riccardo thinking about it 5 out of 7 Hurricanes backs would be starting for the Wallabies this saturday! (Genia and Ioane staying probably with Ioane moving to centre).
Riccardo
Guest
"...even Conrad Smith..."? You see where I might be going with this regarding your least favourite All Black after Guilford?
Morgan
Guest
A very poor decision when so many other viable and more experienced options exist. Drew Mitchell would be my bet. He only touched the ball once or twice in the Waratahs match last weekend, but on one occasion he made that customary tear right up the middle. Surround him with some good players and put him in a gold jersey and he'd be fine. Otherwise, I agree with the other combinations suggested herein. All better than Vuna. He may score a try but he'll cost as a couple.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Harry that's true: we'll have to hope his attack makes up for his defense.
Harry
Guest
I very much hope it works out better, but the last time Robbie Deans thrust an ex Newcastle league player who was a good runner into the Wallabies, when he clearly wasn't ready, was Timana Tahu v Spingboks in 2008 or 2009. Need I remind you all how that worked out. As an aside, I always thought it was a shame that Tahu didn't stay in Union as his last few games for the Tahs (in 2009 from memory) were far and away his best games in union - by then he had learnt a bit about positioning and game sense. Skills and experience Cooper Vuna currently doesn't have.