Another setback for the 'breakdown king'
INJURY UPDATE: The Brumbies could enter their crunch Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs without star Wallabies Allan Alaalatoa and David Pocock.
The pair suffered injuries in last week’s 26-29 loss to the Melbourne Rebels, a game in which they led by 16 points at halftime.
Prop Alaalatoa has been cleared of major damage to his wrist while Pocock is trying to manage a niggling calf issue which has troubled him since January.
The 1-3 Brumbies can ill-afford to be missing players of their ilk, with a loss almost sinking their finals hopes not even a third of the way through the season.
Brumbies No.8 Lachlan McCaffrey said the ACT franchise could topple the Waratahs on Friday night with or without their ace players.
“The coaches are lucky, they’ve got different players in every position they could pick,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
“Allan looked like he’s pretty sore and Poey is just managing things with the back-row.”
Despite losing to the Rebels for the second time in a month, McCaffrey said the Brumbies were in a buoyant mood.
“That first 40 minutes I think is the best 40 minutes of rugby we’ve played in a long time,” he said.
“I don’t think many teams will go down to Melbourne and dominate like we did in that first half, they’re a really quality side.
“When we stuck to our game plan, they didn’t have many answers for us.”
McCaffrey is certain to return to the starting squad against the Waratahs after he became the latest Brumby to be rested by coach Dan McKellar.
There have been multiple changes to the Brumbies side each week this season, even after a thumping win against the Chiefs, but McKellar has previously defended the rotation policy.
“It’s never nice having the week off but I think it’s important in a long season,” McCaffrey said.
“There’s a method to what [the coaching staff] are putting in place.”
AAP
