Wallabies fullback Israel Folau has been ruled out of the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park in Auckland, after suffering an ankle injury in Saturday night’s clash at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Melbourne Rebels back Sefa Naivalu will travel with the side to Auckland today as part of an updated 28-man squad.
“He’s (Folau) got a small tear in a muscle right down low. Quite rare really but it’s actually not a long-term injury at all, just a lot of swelling. We’re hopeful he’ll be back for the game in Brisbane against the Springboks,” said Wallabies coach Michael Cheika.
“It’s an opportunity for someone to come into the team. I thought Jack Maddocks had some nice touches and he got a taste of what Test footy is all about. I would say between himself and Tom Banks, they will be looking to fill that spot this week during training and whoever gets that opportunity, I’m sure will go well.
“I think it’s logical to bring in a winger in like Naivalu as we have Maddocks who can play winger and fullback as well as Banks who is an out-and-out fullback.”
For Rugby fans, concern for Israel Folau is lateral (low) ankle sprain. More common form of ankle sprain where foot rolls in; often looks worse than it is. Folau left the ground on crutches, low grade sprain he’s likely fine for next wk. Mod-high grade likely 2-6 week recovery pic.twitter.com/IJ8q9UQTpG
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) August 18, 2018
Brumbies pair Folau Faingaa and Rory Arnold as well as Rebels centre Billy Meakes will meet the side in Auckland to assist preparations in a train-on capacity.
The Wallabies will square off against New Zealand at Eden Park on Saturday night, where they haven’t tasted victory since 1986.
Updated Qantas Wallabies 28-man squad for second Bledisloe Cup clash (Test caps, Vodafone Super Rugby side and age)
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley (1 Test, Melbourne Rebels, 23)
Allan Alaalatoa (23 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Adam Coleman (24 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Ned Hanigan (13 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Michael Hooper (c) (83 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 26)
Sekope Kepu (95 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 32)
Tolu Latu (8 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 25)
David Pocock (70 Tests, Brumbies, 30)
Tatafu Polota-Nau (83 Tests, Leicester, 33)
Tom Robertson (22 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 23)
Izack Rodda (8 Tests, Queensland Reds, 21)
Pete Samu (4 Tests, Brumbies, 26)
Rob Simmons (86 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Scott Sio (46 Tests, Brumbies, 26)
Lukhan Tui (8 Tests, Queensland Reds, 21)
Taniela Tupou (4 Tests, Queensland Reds, 22)
Backs
Tom Banks* (uncapped, Brumbies, 24)
Kurtley Beale (75 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Bernard Foley (59 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 28)
Will Genia (91 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 30)
Dane Haylett-Petty (22 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 29)
Reece Hodge (28 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 23)
Marika Koroibete (12 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Jack Maddocks (1 cap, Melbourne Rebels, 21)
Sefa Naivalu (7 Tests, Melbourne Rebels, 26)
Nick Phipps (65 Tests, NSW Waratahs, 29)
Joe Powell (4 Tests, Brumbies, 24)
Matt Toomua (34 Tests, Leicester/Melbourne Rebels, 28)
*denotes uncapped
