RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
Wobbling Wallabies laid low by injury worries
Injuries among the Australian squad raise Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’s chances of success
Brisbane — Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’s chances of success have received a significant boost after it emerged on Wednesday that the Australians are sweating over the fitness of influential open-side flanker David Pocock and fullback Israel Folau. Australia coach Michael Cheika will rely on advice from his medical team on the availability of the two players for the Rugby Championship clash against the South Africans at the Suncorp Stadium on Saturday. Both teams announce their squads on Thursday and the chances of Pocock and Folau facing the visitors are rated 50/50. Cheika’s problems this week did not end with Pocock and Folau as back-up scrumhalf Nick Phipps is also in doubt with a rib injury. The Australians are also keeping their fingers crossed that prop Taniela Tupou responds to treatment on his hamstring. Despite the uncertainty surrounding several of their key players, scrumhalf Will Genia urged his teammates to raise their game against the Boks after conceding 12 tries i...
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