Uncapped Wallabies winger Henry Speight will be sidelined for a month with the hamstring injury he suffered in the Super Rugby semi-final.
Fiji-born Speight is expected to recover from the injury in time to make his Test debut when he becomes eligible during The Rugby Championship but has been replaced in the Australian squad by Peter Betham.
Betham, currently on the NSW Waratahs’ bench for Saturday night’s Super Rugby final, is now in the mix to add to his one Test cap against the All Blacks last October.
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie, who again overlooked Japan-bound Nick Cummins, indicated the in-form Speight would be available for the September 13 Test against Argentina on the Gold Coast.
“It’s disappointing for Henry but I’ve got no doubt that he’ll go back and work hard during the rehab process to get his injury healed before he becomes eligible to play for Australia in mid-September,” McKenzie said in a statement on Wednesday.
“On the flip side, we bring in a guy in Peter Betham who has had significant exposure to our program over the past year and who made his Test debut against New Zealand in 2013.
“He’s a quality team member on and off the field and will be determined to make the most of the opportunity he has been given.”
The Wallabies kick off their championship campaign with two Bledisloe Cup Tests against the All Blacks on August 16 in Sydney and August 23 in Auckland.
atlas
Guest
France - joins La Rochelle next month; one of their signings, all on 2yr contracts, incl ex Hurricanes/AB Jason Eaton, Stormers/SA Peter Grant
DJW
Guest
Where is Alofa going?
Ta'auso
Guest
I must admit to being a very big fan of Betham. Alofa has done a great job but he's nowhere near Betham's class.
44bottles
Roar Guru
I really did think you were above childish insults in unrelated threads. FYI, I only skim read it because I had to get somewhere
Boomeranga
Guest
I didn't ask ... How you see it going?
PeterK
Roar Guru
Betham is a very good attacking player. He steps really well. His handling is poor, a lot worse than the other wingers, he drops sitters time and again , feet for hands, has blown many tries because of this. He is poor under the high ball. He does not defend that well either. Does not kick that well either.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I kept looking for how long Speight would be out for. It is great news it is only 1 month.
Boomeranga
Guest
I'm not passionate enough about it to argue, but I think you may be overrating Betham.
PeterK
Roar Guru
you will. You need to read more carefully it does not seem to your strong suit. He is sidelined for a month. He will be back in time to make his debut when he is eligible.
Boomeranga
Guest
None Harry. Let the cards fall where they may.
Harry Jones
Guest
Predictions for RC?
JB
Guest
Betham is light years ahead of alofa and has one of the highest linebreaks per game stats in the game, a genuine finisher. I would think the wingers for Australia May we'll be AAC and tomane / Horne but I rate betham above all of them save for AAC but he is a 13 so does Mckenzie all have been picked in the Aussie squads when fit, I dare say the badger would never have played a test if betham and tomane had been fit
Boomeranga
Guest
Do you reckon Baldwid? I think Peter is excellent once the ball is in his hands and he is on the charge. A few times last year when he was within say 30m he was a beast. But ... I think he has a lot more aspects of his game to work on than Alofa. For me AA would have him in defence, general rugby nous, straight out speed and he scored more tries. Not sure if either are or aren't good under high ball or with the boot.
Baldy
Roar Rookie
Sorry Boomeranga but Alofa is nowhere near Betham. I really think that Betham is an exceptional talent but needs confidence, when he is on he is super dangerous.
Boomeranga
Guest
Not that it matters for the Wallabies, but having been without Betham for the whole season could have been a blow for the Waratahs. Bentham v Alofa - I think Alofa has been a better player. Neither up to Henry's standard, but I am sorry to lose Alofa.
niwdeyaj
Guest
Speight wasn't eligible until September anyway, seems Betham has just been brought in to make up numbers in training.
44bottles
Roar Guru
Gutted for Speight. Really wanted to see him on the national stage.