Palu injured

[RugbyReg]

Wallabies No.8 Wycliff Palu has been ruled out of the start of the domestic Test season with a broken hand.
Palu is expected to be sidelined for a month, forcing him out of Australia's extended 30-man squad to be announced on Thursday in Sydney.

The 28-Test enforcer underwent scans on his left hand on Monday after returning from New South Wales Waratahs three-match tour of South Africa.

Palu fractured his hand for the second time this season in the 16-12 win over the Sharks but played in the 38-33 last-round win over the Lions, which he failed to finish.

His unavailability is a blow to the Wallabies, who start their season on June 6 against the Barbarians in Sydney before playing Italy twice and France.
Watch the Wallabies battle the Barbarians LIVE and un-interrupted on Fox Sports on June 6.
Palu is expected to be back in time for the Tri-Nations kick-off on July 18 against New Zealand but will have a major battle to wrest back the No.8 jersey from Richard Brown.

Western Force backrower Brown is almost certain to start at the back of the scrum, while Brumbies skipper Stephen Hoiles may receive a call-up to the 30-man squad in Palu's place.

His unavailability could also see in-form Waratahs captain Phil Waugh retained as one of three openside flankers with George Smith and David Pocock.

don't know the reasoning for that last statement. I would've thought possibly Mowen, Chapman, Hoiles, Hodgson possibly Higginbottham may more likely to benefit.

 

[disco]

Hodgson

I wouldn't mind seeing Hodgson playing at #8.

 

[Pfitzy]

I'm more concerned about the previous statement i.e. Hoiles. No thanks.

Higginfanny please.

 

[Scarfman]

Hoiles was diabolical in every game I saw. Out of his depth at S14 level.

 

[cyclopath]

If you played Smith, Sharpe and Hoiles, where would the backs stand? ;D An extra 10 and 2 wingers will clutter it up...

 

[Gagger]

I'm more concerned about the previous statement i.e. Hoiles. No thanks.

Higginfanny please.

Mowen is Higgenbatty with the added abilities to line-out jump and tackle.

OK, he can't pass, but we have Sharpe to do that for us.

 

[Lindommer]

Yer all wrong: Deans sees something in Higginbum we don't. He's as rough as guts at the moment but he's got speed and size, and a bit of mongrel. Blokes like this is why Dingo took the Oz job: shaping a rough stone into the polished article.

Higginclacker will be in a Deans' squad this year. Or next.

 

[Spook]

I'd have Salvi. He doesn't shirk the hard work.

 

[Lee Grant]

Yeah Salvi will always have a go and wouldn't be the worst as a backup to Brown, but Brown is at the lower end of size you want for a no. 8 in real test matches and Salvi is marginally smaller.

If Cliffy is back for 3N it won't be that critical and it may give the opportunity to look at somebody else. The trouble with that is: if the someone else is Hoiles, he is likely to shine against the likes of Baa Baas and Azzuri, and give a false read to his ability for 3N games should Cliffy still be out and Brown crocked also.

Not that Dingo is likely to be fooled.

I would chose a hard man of whatever size as backup for 8 for the early matches, not a player "with all the skills". Thus Hodgson and Salvi, both allrounders, would have my vote, just in case they are needed for 3N.

 

[naza]

Relax everybody, according to the posters on here Palu is lazy and doesn't do anything anyway.

Why, we have budding superstars like journeyman Matt Hodgson to fill the breach. And 27 year old Stephen Hoiles, he'll fill out one day !