Halfback Luke Burgess and lock Nathan Sharpe have been omitted from Australia's South African tour squad due to injury. The pair, who have been involved in all three of Australia's Vodacom Tri-Nations matches to date, were left out when the 28-man touring group was named by Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans today, an ARU statement said.
Burgess was ruled out after an MRI scan this morning identified a meniscus tear in his knee. The New South Wales Waratahs halfback sustained the injury during a tackle at training yesterday.
"It was an innocuous-looking incident. Unfortunately Luke's knee blew up afterwards, was worse again this morning, and the scan has then revealed the bad news," Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says.
The demise of Burgess, who is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, leaves the Australian touring party with two halfbacks – Sam Cordingley and Brett Sheehan.Three hookers have been included, while injured flanker Rocky Elsom (foot ligament strain) and fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper (broken hand) will also be on tomorrow's flight, with the medical opinion indicating they should be fit for the second Test of the two-game tour.
The break down of the squad is a 16-forward, 12-back split.
Deans noted that the injury situation, as it pertained to options in the second row and among the loose forward mix, had played a significant part in the decision to omit the experienced Sharpe.
The Qantas Wallabies depart from Sydney tomorrow morning and will head to Cape Town in! the lead up to the resumption of their Tri-Nations campaign a! gainst S outh Africa at Durban on August 23.
The second Test against South Africa is at Johannesburg on August 30, with the side returning to Australia the following day.
The Qantas Wallabies squad to tour South Africa is: Stirling Mortlock (Brumbies, captain), Ben Alexander (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies), Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds), Al Baxter (NSW Waratahs), Richard Brown (Western Force), Sam Cordingley (Queensland Reds), Ryan Cross (Western Force), Matt Dunning (NSW Waratahs), Rocky Elsom (NSW Waratahs), Adam Freier (NSW Waratahs), Matt Giteau (Western Force), James Horwill (Queensland Reds), Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds), Hugh McMeniman (Queensland Reds), Drew Mitchell (Western Force), Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs), Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds), Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs), Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs), Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs), Brett Sheehan (NSW Waratahs), George Smith (Brumbies), Timana Tahu (NSW Waratahs), Lote Tuqiri (NSW W! aratahs), Lachie Turner (NSW Waratahs), Phil Waugh (NSW Waratahs), Dan Vickerman (NSW Waratahs).
Issued by SA Rugby
