Injury boost for Australia's B&I Lions tour hopes

INJURY UPDATE: Skipper Allan Alaalatoa has been cleared of serious injury in a major boost to the ladder-leading Brumbies’ Super Rugby Pacific title aspirations.

The news is also a relief to Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt, with the experienced tighthead prop a certainty to face the touring British and Irish Lions, with the first Test in July.

Alaalatoa was helped from the field soon after half-time in Canberra on Saturday night as the Brumbies trumped Queensland 24-14 to move to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham was uncertain of the lower-leg issue but was hopeful that Alaalatoa, who missed the 2023 World Cup after rupturing his Achilles, would be available for the Super Rugby knock-outs.

“He had a tight calf coming into half-time and it got a bit tighter when he was playing through that second half,” Larkham said post-match.

The coach will likely have his wish, with scans on Monday clearing 31-year-old Alaalatoa of serious damage.

“The Brumbies can confirm that captain Allan Alaalatoa underwent a scan on a lower leg injury after leaving the field during Saturday’s fixture against the Reds at Canberra Stadium,” the Brumbies said in a statement.

“The results of the scan are favourable and show a low-grade calf strain, which should have him return in the next couple of weeks.”

The Brumbies have a bye next week, then finish their regular season against the Crusaders, who are two points behind and level with the Chiefs in second.

The Australian front-runners also have Wallabies playmaker Noah Lolesio sidelined after the five-eighth sustained a spinal injury earlier this month.

Lolesio was also cleared of serious injury but no timeline has been provided for his return to play.