Wallabies brush aside any gastro concerns

The Wallabies insist the gastro bug that affected the team following their arrival in London from Italy won't affect them before Saturday's clash with England.

Wallabies, Rugby

Australia head coach Michael Cheika talks to the players during an Australia training session in London, England. Source: Getty

The Wallabies are confident a sickness bug that has swept through the squad won't unduly affect preparations for Saturday's clash with England at Twickenham.

Ten of the squad sat out training on Monday with Israel Folau and Bernard Foley the two players hit worst by the bug that was picked up in Italy.

Folau struggled through Saturday's win over the Italians in Padua despite battling with gastro but he and Foley returned to training, along with the other players affected, on Tuesday at the team's south-west London training base.

"Squizz (Folau) had a bit of stuff floating through and then Bernard (Foley) and a few of the other boys just missed out training yesterday," said defence coach Nathan Grey said.

"The funny thing is a few of the staff have got it as well so that's always funny. Players not so funny."
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Grey insists with the players battle-hardened and match fit following a long international season it was not a huge issue not having certain members of the squad on the training field during the week.

"It's one of those things where you get to this time of the year on a tour and everyone's pretty across the way that we want to play," he said.

"Then at training yesterday, we've got guys dropping in at different positions which are great.

"We've got the luxury in the squad as well of having guys who can play multiple positions, can play up in the front line, backfield and whatnot.

"That little bit of illness has forced us to have a bit of a look at how we can do things and we've got a bit of luxury with some guys to mix it up."

Lock Izack Rodda said he was confident there would be no problems and said players affected had been isolated to prevent the problem spreading.

"I think there's been a few players and a couple of staff unwell, but it's been contained so it's pretty good," said Rodda.

Clouds still surround the fitness of talismanic back-rower David Pocock, with Pete Samu on standby to fill in should the Brumbies star miss out due to a stinger injury he sustained in Padua.

Pocock sat out contact training on Tuesday, but took part in some light drill and work with the lineouts.

The absence of the 30-year-old for the season finale would be a huge blow for the tourists who are looking to round off a difficult year with a morale-boosting win over Eddie Jones' side.

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3 min read
Published 21 November 2018 8:06am
By SBS Sport
Source: AAP, SBS


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