Comeback trail: Will Genia
Sidelined halfback Will Genia and Brumbies flyers Henry Speight and Joe Tomane have been cleared to use the National Rugby Championship as a launching pad for Wallabies selection.
The backline trio will make injury comebacks on Saturday in bids to make Australia’s squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa and Argentina for Rugby Championship Tests at the end of the month.
AAP
Former Test captain Genia has been named to make his NRC debut for Brisbane City in a 40-minute return from ankle surgery while Speight and Tomane will line up on the wings for the Canberra Vikings.
The destructive “Fro Bros” have recovered from the lingering hamstring injuries which cost Tomane a starting berth in last month’s two Bledisloe Tests and put Fiji-born Speight’s long-awaited Test debut on ice.
Speight will become eligible to play for Australia next Thursday but he’s considered long odds to be fit for the Rugby Championship clash with the Pumas on the Gold Coast just two days later.
“The inclusion of guys like Joe and Henry would be a huge boost for any side at any level of rugby so we are looking forward to seeing what they can contribute,” said Vikings coach Dan McKellar.
“It’s been a situation where they’ve been part of the squad since we first got together, so the learning is already there.”
The Vikings will also feature Wallaby centre Christian Leali’ifano at five-eighth when they play Queensland Country in Canberra on Saturday afternoon.
Considered the best halfback in world rugby 14 months ago, Genia’s 2014 has been plagued by an ankle injury which finally saw him booked in for surgery in June.
He won’t be the only experienced Test No.9 playing at Ballymore on Saturday as Rebels half Luke Burgess has been included on the Melbourne Rising bench after being released by the Wallabies for some match fitness.
Queensland Reds flanker Liam Gill will also make his NRC debut for Brisbane City against the Rising after shaking off injury.