Battered Brumbies lose Speight
The Brumbies were left counting the cost of their impressive 28-23 win over the Waratahs in an all-Australian Super Rugby derby at the weekend.
Wing Henry Speight is facing six weeks on the sideline with a fractured jaw and lock Leon Power is also in doubt of being a long-term absenmtee after injuring his knee.
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham believes his team can overcome the latest batch of injury setbacks.
However, their resources are being tested.
The Brumbies dug deep to get a confidence-boosting win against the Waratahs.
However, Speight's fractured jaw and Power's knee injury put a dampener on one of the team's gutsiest wins in recent seasons.
Speight could have surgery as early as Monday.
Power will find out on Monday if his knee injury is more serious than first thought and whether he will join a star-studded injury ward – which already includes David Pocock (knee), Christian Lealiifano (ankle) and Fotu Auelua (knee).
They are set, however, to get a major boost for their clash against the Stormers on Saturday, with Joseph Tomane ready to make a comeback from a foot injury.
"We have a tough stretch ahead," Larkham told the Canberra Times.
"We've been battered around, we've done a fair bit of travel, but we've found some confidence and cohesion," the coach added.
"The guys played some superb rugby against NSW. But we have to be careful with how we manage our squad because of injuries.
"The win against the Waratahs shows we can stand up through pressure … find a way to solve problems. It allows you to have a belief that you can get through anything no matter what they throw at you.
"We have to get through this period … we've had our fair share of injuries early but guys who were on the fringe at the start of the season now have an opportunity to play."
Wallaby inside centre Lealiifano has returned to training with the Brumbies, but the franchise will resist the temptation to rush him back before his scheduled comeback on March 28.
Tomane played the opening round of the season, but damaged a ligament on the bottom of his foot.
He played 40 minutes for the ACT XV in its win against Samoa A at the weekend and the Wallabies speedster is itching for a chance to return to Super Rugby.
Source: Canberra Times
