Tuesday, 24 April 2012

O'Connor Doubt for Wallabies


The Melbourne Rebels and Australia full-back James O'Connor is a doubt for the Tests against Scotland and Wales in June due to a lacerated liver.

O'Connor, who was taken to hospital after taking an accidental knee to the ribs in a heavy collision with Wallabies team-mate Berrick Barnes in Saturday's Super Rugby defeat by the Waratahs, will not resume contact training for six weeks.

The Wallabies open their 2012 season with a one-off Test against Scotland in Newcastle on 5 June before taking on the Six Nations champions Wales in a three-match series.

The 21-year-old could be available for the second Test against Wales in Melbourne on 16 June his rehabilitation runs smoothly. However the Wallabies coach, Robbie Deans, is unlikely to take any risks with O'Connor.

Deans is also likely to be without the Queensland Reds centre Ben Tapuai, who will be sidelined for three months after breaking his collarbone in Queensland's loss to the Stormers on Saturday night. The 23-year-old, who made his Test debut against Wales in Cardiff in November, requires surgery and is highly unlikely to play any further part in the Reds' Super Rugby campaign.



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