Timani: Battling a back injury
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Wallabies lock Sitaleki Timani is among four players struggling to overcome injuries ahead of Saturday's Test against France in Paris.
Australia coach Robbie Deans is waiting on medical updates on the fitness of Timani, flanker David Pocock, hooker Stephen Moore and winger Digby Ioane.
Timani is the only one of the four who was in action when Australia faced New Zealand in Brisbane last month.
He had to leave the field in the 20th minute, however, after his lower back tightened up and has been undergoing rehabilitation ever since.
Pocock is coming back from a knee injury sustained in the opening Rugby Championship Test against the All Blacks in Auckland, Moore strained a hamstring in training ahead of the Test against the Springboks in Pretoria and Ioane injured his knee against Argentina in Rosario.
Deans said he would not rush any of them back despite the urge of wanting to field his strongest side against Les Bleus.
"They're all going well but it's a matter of, particularly with the travel, whether they're good enough to enter the fray this week," he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Wallabies have watched a lot of video footage of France's previous Tests this year, as well as Heineken Cup and Top 14 matches.
"It's a game that's important to both teams; both teams have stated that," Deans said.
"Our guys are very enthusiastic about this trip. They're looking forward to it.
"Sure, it's been off the back of a big calendar year, but within the group you wouldn't know that."
Comments
georgesmith says...
S. Timani... what is the big deal. Just give R. Simmons another chance. He is up for it. S. Timani is quality all over and he will be there, next world cup. No need to sweat about him now. N.Sharpe does not deserve to be Wallabies captaiin.
Posted 09:42 07th November 2012
2EyedKiwi says...
its Robbie Deans fault
Posted 20:09 06th November 2012
Ferdie says...
melkdave - unsure curse is right, and agree hoping no one rushed back too early and gets re-injured, but this is the risk of naming injured players in a squad - these are not this week's injuries, but as article says, go back to tests v NZ, Arg, SA. Limits Deans' choices for selection 'hoping they'll be fit'
Posted 11:48 06th November 2012
melkdave says...
The curse still operating then.This was some of myconcern ,about players maybe being rushed back into action prematurely ,and while not really 100%
Posted 09:35 06th November 2012