Injuries, flu in Wallaby camp

2008-08-15 11:09

Cape Town - The Australian rugby side will arrive in South Africa on Friday evening with a long list of injury and illness problems. They play the Springboks in a Tri-Nations Test in Durban next Saturday.

With nine points from their three matches - one less than the All Blacks, who have 10 from four - the Wallabies are well-poised to take the Tri-Nations crown.

But to achieve this and keep their hopes alive for their final clash against the All Blacks in September, they will have to beat the Springboks at least once in their two outings in South Africa.

The reality is that the Wallabies have lost their last eight matches in South Africa and have not won here since 2000.

Compounding their challenge is the fact that they have their captain Stirling Mortlock and centre Berrick Barnes suffering from flu, star wing Lote Tuqiri has an on-going knee problem and lock James Horwill a bruised foot.

All four of these players - unlike flank Rocky Elsom (foot ligaments) and fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper (surgery to hand) - are likely to be available for the Johannesburg Test.

However, it could disrupt their preparations which they will do in Cape Town until a day or two before the Durban Test.

Elsom and Ashley-Cooper are not expected to be fit until the second Test at Coca-Cola Park on August 30.

It is probable that Sam Cordingley will replace injured scrumhalf Luke Burgess in Durban.

- SAPA