Wallabies skipper Rocky Elsom is fearing that the start of his 2011 season could be hamstrung by injury, although there is hope that he won’t require any major surgery ahead of a busy World Cup year.
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The tough blindside flank has had hamstring problems in the past and returned home from Australia’s year-end to Europe with a new hamstring issue.
However, Brumbies coach Andy Friend believes that the 27-year-old could avoid surgery by utilising a “rest period” and some injections to reduce a potentially long-term absence from the field.
“I know he’s reluctant to have surgery, as are we, because that would put him out for some time,” Friend told AAP.
“It’s that far removed as an option at the moment.
“Our doctor Angus Bathgate has been having discussions with him. It’s really a time thing, just to see how this little rest period (works) for him, what that does to his hamstring and whether that will be enough for him.”
Losing Elsom would be a major blow for the Brumbies’ Super 15 campaign, with their loose forward stocks already weakened by the departure of George Smith at the end of last season.
Youngsters Michael Hooper and Colby Faingaa are in line to vie with experienced Julian Salvi for the vacant back row berths.
“He [Salvi] adds a lot of experience there, but we’ve got Colby Faingaa and Michael Hooper, who I think are two quality footballers and it’s going to be exciting to see who ends up wearing that jersey,” Friend said.