Smith eyeing Rebels return

The Rebels may be able to call upon the services of prop Toby Smith against the Hurricanes this week, but will be without scrumhalf Nic Stirzaker.

 

Smith missed the game against the Sharks with a shoulder injury, however will undergo further testing throughout this week ahead of a return to full training and potential selection for the match against the Hurricanes.

 

Stirzaker injured his ankle in the closing minutes of Friday's match against the Sharks, the same ankle he injured in pre-season against the Waratahs.

 

He has displayed some solid form in the last few Super Rugby matches before experiencing this latest setback.

 

"It's disappointing for Nic, who has worked so hard to be fit enough to play a key role in our last few matches after missing a large chunk of the pre-season," said Bryce Cavanagh, Rebels' Head of Athletic Performance.

 

"At this stage we are unsure of the full extent of the injury; Nic will see a specialist later this week and the picture will be a little clearer then.

 

"He won't play this week, but at this stage we're not sure how long he will be sidelined for."

 

Loose forward Lopeti Timani continues to edge closer to a return from a knee injury, and will hope to feature in Super Rugby from mid to late May.