Australia are sweating on key Rugby World Cup injuries to Kurtley Beale, Pat McCabe and Sekope Kepu who will all undergo scans ahead of this weekend’s World Cup semi-final with New Zealand.
The Wallabies knocked the Springboks, the defending champions, out of the tournament in a gruelling 11-9 victory in Wellington on Sunday.
Exciting full-back Beale, who has been troubled by hamstring problems throughout the tournament, went off five minutes from the finish by which time inside centre McCabe had already exited with yet more shoulder trouble.
Meanwhile prop forward Kepu lasted until 11 minutes from time before leaving the tick of a draining physical battle up front because of an ankle injury.
Australia coach Robbie Deans said the trio would all have “precautionary” scans but was optimistic about their chances of being available to play New Zealand at Eden Park on Sunday.
Beale, 23, a rare attacking threat for the Wallabies in an attritional contest against the Springboks, had to sit out the final pool match against Russia with a hamstring strain and, were he to be ruled out against the All Blacks, he’d be a huge loss for Australia
Former All Black Deans said McCabe, who ‘popped’ his shoulder against the United States, had suffered a less serious ‘stinger’ shoulder injury at the weekend and was in a good way while Kefu had merely “rolled” his ankle rather than anything more serious.
McCabe was replaced in the 53rd minute against South Africa by experienced playmaker Berrick Barnes, whose impact off the bench was praised by Deans following the substitute’s touch-finder with 10 minutes left that led to a lineout penalty from which James O’Connor kicked the winning score.
“Berrick did well,” Deans said after the match.
“There was one very good kick that alleviated a lot of pressure and produced a bit of pressure, which ultimately produced the opportunity that we needed.”
Australia now moves into a classic semifinal against New Zealand, a match certain to add to the long and colorful rivalry between the Antipodean neighbors.
“It’s fantastic,” Australia’s New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans said.
“We know each other well as teams, there’s a huge amount of history. There’s no more history than between the Wallabies and the All Blacks and there’s a lot of history at World Cup time, as well, so it’s going to be great.”
The Australian Rugby Union moved Monday to rally support behind the Wallabies as they attempt to end a 25-year losing streak against the All Blacks at Auckland’s Eden park.
“Now is the time for Australians to show the world that we are united behind … the Wallabies,” the national rugby union said in a statement Monday, kicking off a week that will heavily feature the rivalry.
“ARU is calling on Australians everywhere to let the Wallabies know the All Blacks might be playing to ‘A Stadium of 4 million’ but here in Australia we’re one team of 22 million.”