News
Australia not looking too Sharpe
August 14 2008
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has named a 28-man squad for the South African leg of the 2008 Tri-Nations tournament, with both Luke Burgess and Nathan Sharpe set to miss the tour.
Six-times capped scrum-half Luke Burgess has been ruled out with a knee injury, after suffering a knock in training on Wednesday.
Unfortunately for the 24-year-old Waratah, the knee became swollen the same evening, before an MRI scan on Thursday showed he had torn the meniscus.
Burgess is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks and is also unlikely to play in the Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Brisbane next month.
The other shock exclusion is lock Nathan Sharpe, with coach Deans opting for the more versatile duo of Hugh McMeniman and Dean Mumm ahead of the 69-Test veteran in the squad.
Dan Vickerman, now back to full fitness, and James Horwill are expected to start in the second row, while McMeniman and the recalled Mumm will compete for the number six jersey, if Rocky Elsom fails to recover from his foot injury.
Other injury doubts, Elsom (foot), James Horwill (lower leg), Berrick Barnes ('flu) and Adam Ashley Cooper (hand) have all been selected and are expected to be available for selection at some stage during the tour.
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock, also recovering from 'flu, said the injury to Burgess was unfortunate but it provided both back-up half-backs, Brett Sheehan and Sam Cordingly, the opportunity to stake their claim.
"It is bitterly disappointing for Luke and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery, but both Brett Sheehan and Sam Cordingley have been putting up their hand and are itching for the opportunity to play in the nine jersey," said Mortlock.
Australia squad: Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, captain), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Reds), Al Baxter (Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force), Sam Cordingley (Reds), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Matt Dunning (Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (Waratahs), Adam Freier (Waratahs), Matt Giteau (Western Force), James Horwill (Reds), Peter Hynes (Reds), Hugh McMeniman (Reds), Drew Mitchell (Western Force), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Reds), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Benn Robinson (Waratahs), Brett Sheehan (Waratahs), George Smith (Brumbies), Timana Tahu (Waratahs), Lote Tuqiri (Waratahs), Lachie Turner (Waratahs), Phil Waugh (Waratahs), Dan Vickerman (Waratahs).