Kepu joins Pocock on Wallaby injury list
Wallaby prop Sekope Kepu has joined skipper David Pocock on the
Australian injury list and will miss Saturday's Bledisloe Cup encounter
with the All Blacks in Auckland.
The powerful Kepu sustained a strain to the medial ligament of his
right knee in training on Tuesday, an injury that can typically sideline
a player for a month, the Australian Rugby Union said.
It is another blow for the Wallabies who are reeling from news that
Pocock could be out of action for three months following a knee
operation Tuesday.
The captain had keyhole surgery to repair damage to the articular
cartilage of his right knee suffered during Australia's 27-19 defeat to
New Zealand in the opening Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship match
last weekend.
Halfback Will Genia, who captained Australia once before against the
United States in last year's World Cup, has been confirmed as the new
skipper.
He will be Australia's fourth captain in barely 12 months with
first-choice James Horwill ruled out of the four June Tests and the
Rugby Championship with a hamstring injury. He took over from Rocky
Elsom.
Australia will unveil their side for Saturday's do-or-die Bledisloe
Cup clash on Thursday, a fixture they must win to prevent the New
Zealanders from holding the title for a 10th consecutive year.
The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 1986, and coach Robbie
Deans also faces a selection headache over whether to retain Kurtley
Beale at fullback or recall mercurial fly-half Quade Cooper.
The Bledisloe Cup is a three-match series this year. AFP
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