Tuqiri and Palu fit to tour

Australia stars Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu have been cleared to join his country's six-match tour to Hong Kong and Europe.

Australia stars Lote Tuqiri and Wycliff Palu have been cleared to join his country's six-match tour to Hong Kong and Europe.

They pair are both still recovering from knee injuries but will leave with the rest of the 34-man squad for Hong Kong on Monday.

Australia coach Deans said wing Tuqiri and lock Peter Kimlin (quad) would not be considered for next Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand in Hong Kong and rated loose forward Palu unlikely.

Tuqiri, who underwent minor knee surgery several weeks ago, resumed running a week ago, but Deans said questions remained about the player's fitness.

“Lote is a wee way away from playing and we will just have to keep monitoring him,” Deans said.

“He's got a fair amount to do and if in doing that work he suffers a setback, then essentially we will send him home.”

Palu resumed running with the team at Sunday's training.

Tuqiri was relieved to be jetting out with the Wallabies' squad.

“I started running again at the end of last week and I was coming along pretty well and getting there, so I'll hopefully be back training with the boys next week,” Tuqiri said.

After the All Blacks Test, Australia play matches against Italy, England, France, Wales and the Barbarians.