Wallabies centre Christian Lealiifano will have surgery on his ankle next week with a date for his return to Super Rugby uncertain.
Lealiifano has been troubled by the injury since his ankle reconstruction in 2012, affecting his training workload.
The Brumbies playmaker put off surgery to play in Australia’s Rugby Championship campaign and recent tour of Europe and the UK.
The extent of the damage won’t be clear until the surgery and the goalkicking ace may require a plate or possibly a major operation which could derail his 2014 Super season.
The Brumbies start their season against the Queensland Reds at Canberra Stadium on February 22.
Lealiifano is the only member of the Brumbies’ Wallabies contingent who will have post-season surgery.
The bulk of the Test players will be rested from training until January 5 while hooker Stephen Moore and back-rower Ben Mowen have earned an extra week off.
NBilly Bob
Guest
Mmmmm redback, gee big problem here. Wallaby tour or rehab in Canberra in late spring? Many players postpone operations to keep playing. It's the lot of pro rugby players.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
FOS......Kuridrani will be available for selection, completes his suspension in pre season games.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
Kuridrani completes his suspension with the final pre season game,. 5 game suspension, missed the last 2 tests and the Brumbies have 3 pre season games.
Mark Richmond
Roar Guru
I'd be surprised if To'omua is out for Feb 22, it was only a minor hamstring strain.
Andy
Guest
Yes, I'm sure CLL would much have preferred to be at home in Canberra than on the Spring Tour.
Redback
Guest
Why was he allowed to tour with an injury that may side line him for most of the season with the brumbies. Players should be made to stay home and have their injuries sorted to ensure that they are right for their clubs.
formeropenside
Guest
was thinking of Kuridrani out due to suspension, but also assumed Toomua might not be right also. A bit optimistic there perhaps.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
Why is Toomua out for the first game???? He only had a hamstring injury and at worst they heal within 4 to 6 weeks at the most and that leaves plenty of time for him to play in the first game. Does he have a further injury that we don't know about????
Andy
Guest
Couldn't agree more BB. Looking forward to seeing how the Brumbies cope with this.
Markus
Guest
Gets even more interesting if Kuridrani misses the first game while still serving his suspension, as Andrew Smith would have been the likely one to cover 12. If Smith would be starting at 13, then it would probably be Cronje at 10, and then maybe Coleman at 12. Or as left field options, maybe Rathbone or Tomane?
Billy Bob
Guest
Christian Lealifano is certainly made of the right stuff. He deserves to persevered with. His pre injury form was outstanding. Not to mention his priceless goal kicking try scoring and defence since then. He does not have the bag of tricks or defence of others in the backline but he is a great team man who can be trusted and depended on. I hope he can make a full recovery soon. I am very grateful to him for his bravery this year and especially in he last game.
AussiKiwi
Guest
CLL has never quite got back to his pre injury form, I am really hoping this surgery does the trick, I would love to see him play to his full potential again. It takes a lot of courage to play at all after an injury like that.
Sunshine
Guest
Was it really that long ago that it seemed McCabe was one of the first picked for the wallabies
Minz
Guest
Man, if Canberra's chilly on 22 Feb, we're going to be having an awful summer! Hopefully it'll be shorts and t-shirt weather... Brisbane winter :D
Jono
Guest
If McCabe's recovery doesn't go to plan there are going to be some interesting combinations in those early rounds next year for the Brumbies. I guess even if he is fit it will still be interesting to see whether they go for Coleman or Cronjé.
formeropenside
Guest
excellent news for the Reds that Toomua and Lilo are both out for the opening round in chilly Canberra.