Fainga'a could play through pain to ease injury burden
Lee Gaskin
June 17, 2012
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Colby Fainga'a is likely to play the rest of the Super Rugby season with a foot injury. Photo: STUART WALMSLEY
THE ACT Brumbies are weighing up whether to push flanker Colby Fainga'a through the rest of the Super Rugby season after he reinjured his troublesome foot.
Fainga'a played the entire 80 minutes of Tuesday night's 25-15 loss to Wales but pulled up sore and was rested from yesterday's John I Dent Cup fixtures.
The 21-year-old will wear a moon boot for the next two weeks, putting him at long odds to be ready when the Brumbies return to action against the Western Force in Perth on June 30.
Brumbies coach Jake White said Fainga'a would be monitored in the next couple of weeks and hadn't ruled out the Queanbeyan product returning for the run into the finals.
Fainga'a is one of two specialist openside flankers in the Brumbies squad along with Wallabies representative Michael Hooper.
''It's one of those injuries where I think he'll be fine if we push him through it, but I don't want to push him through it until I know if we need him or don't need him,'' White said. ''We'll reassess it next week, I want to see how Hoops comes along after Wallabies duty.''
White has a couple of options to use as a back-up for Hooper if Fainga'a's injury is worse than first thought.
Hooker Siliva Siliva's return from injury could allow Anthony Hegarty to be used at openside, while powerful Ita Vaea is another candidate.
Fainga'a tore a ligament in his foot in the Brumbies' trial match against the Queensland Reds in February.
He played a handful of games for the Tuggeranong Vikings before coming off the bench for the Brumbies in their most recent Super Rugby match against the Melbourne Rebels.
A decision has yet to be made whether Fainga'a requires an operation, but it is likely to be delayed until the end of the season given the Brumbies already have a reduced squad.
The Brumbies have 32 players to call on for the rest of the campaign following season-ending injuries to Matt To'omua and Christian Lealiifano, and with prop Jono Owen released so he could join the Melbourne Rebels.
Flanker Scott Fardy and outside centre Andrew Smith were rested from club duties yesterday, but both are expected to be fit to face the Force.