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Saturday deadline for Horwill

Australian coach Ewen McKenzie will give regular captain Horwill till Saturday to prove his fitness, ahead of a two-match Rugby Championship tour.

Horwill, who missed the last  two Tests with a hamstring strain, is given a good chance of being passed fit for the Tests against South Africa (in Cape Town on September 28) and Argentina (in Rosario a week later).

In fact the lock forward is likely to be named in a 28-man squad, to be unveiled on Tuesday.

However, McKenzie said Horwill must "prove" he is 100 percent fit by Saturday if he wants to join the squad on its two-game tour of South Africa and Argentina, says coach Ewen McKenzie.

''There's no evidence to say [Horwill] wouldn't be fit by the weekend," the coach told reporters in Perth.

"We haven't been carrying a rehab program at all.

''I think James would know he has to be right to train 100 percent on Saturday.

"That's what we'll look at and we'll work it out. I think he is tracking well.''

* Meanwhile wing Nick Cummins is seeking a surgeon's advice on a fractured bone in his hand to find out if there is any way to play a part in the Wallabies' tough tour of South Africa and Argentina.

Should the damage rule out Cummins it will be unfortunate because his power injections were far more positive in the 14-13 win over Argentina in Perth, than when his handling let him down twice a week earlier against South Africa.

Scans confirmed bone damage, but he is clinging to the hope he might still be named in the squad for the trip.

"There was marked improvement in Cummo's game," McKenzie said of the wing, Cummins.

"It's what we expect from him … good kick chase, putting his body on the line and attitude which in defence is a good indicator of where we are up to.

Lock Sitaleki Timani's physical 29-minute effort off the bench in his Test comeback may be rewarded with a tour.

Sources: Sydney Morning Herald and Foxsports

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