Moore out of Bok test
by Brenden Nel 25 September 2012, 14:51
The Wallabies were dealt a double blow with hooker Stephen Moore likely to head home immediately following a hamstring strain, and several members of the team down with gastro.
With Robbie Deans’s side under pressure and playing on their least favourite ground on the Highveld, the news will add to the complications of preparing a team for the test that the Wallabies are determined to win.
The bug in the camp has forced Deans and co to delay naming their squad until Thursday afternoon when they will decide if all their players have been given an all-clear, but for now Moore is likely to head back to Australia depending on a Tuesday afternoon scan.
The Wallabies have already called up James Hanson as cover for Moore, but the way the team management have been talking, the hooker is already packing his bags for home.
While the Wallabies did laugh about their bug, saying they were “Looking for Laurie” -- as in former All Black coach Laurie Mains, and his mysterious “Suzie” who was alleged to have given the 95 All Blacks food poisoning -- the Wallabies concern is rather serious.
“On Sunday Ben Alexander, James Slipper and Nathan Sharpe came down with it, and yesterday it was Sitaleki Timane, Liam Gill and Scotty Higginbotham,” team spokesman Matt Mcillrath said.
“They’re all okay, they’re all training, but we have a few staff members down with it as well. We will probably delay the naming of the squad until after the training on Thursday as we want to see they’re all good to go.”
The bug was so ruthless that Timane has apparently lost 5kg in two days.
