Hanigan and Coleman heading home

Sat, Nov 18, 2017, 11:15 PM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Adam Coleman is heading home. Photo: Getty Images
Adam Coleman is heading home. Photo: Getty Images

Adam Coleman's Spring Tour has been cut short for the second year in a row,while flanker Ned Hanigan is also returning to Australia.

Coleman was a late withdrawal from the Wallabies team to face England after injuring his thumb against Wales last weekend.

Speaking to beIN Sports before the match, Coleman said he would be heading home for an operation after the Twickenham Test.

"Cheik wanted to give me every chance to play tonight but unfortunately I couldn't get across the line so I'm heading back on the bird back to Sydney to get an operation on Monday," he said.

"Unfortunately (my tour is over).

"Last year I wasn't able to finish the Spring Tour either, not to be. Hopefully I will be back next year and good to go."

Brumbies rookie Blake Enever replaced Coleman in the starting team, becoming the 26th Australian debutant since the 2015 World Cup.

Ned Hanigan suffered a knee injury. Photo: Getty ImagesHanigan suffered a knee injury late in the first half, and was replaced at half-time by Ben McCalman.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said Coleman would undergo an operation back in Australia, while Hanigan would be back in action well ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season.

"(It's just a) small operation, Hanigan on his way home too with his knee," he said.

"Medial nothing to catastrophic."

Lukhan Tui (hamstring) is likely to be fit for the final Spring Tour Test against Scotland, and would be next in line for the 23 with Hanigan and Coleman out, while Enever impressed in his first outing and would puh

No. 8 Lopeti Timani also has the ability to play second row if required, having played there through the season with the Rebels.

Australia takes on Scotland on Saturday November 25 in Edinburgh, in the last game of their 2017 Spring Tour.

Share
Super Rugby Pacific Round Six Preview
Force 'heart and soul' Pomare set to reach rare Super W milestone
Michael Hooper is excited about the challenge of playing Sevens in Hong Kong. Photo: Nick Holland/RA Media
'Rookie' ex-Wallabies skipper Hooper ready to step up Sevens unknown
'Brumbies DNA': Wallabies selections on the line for Reds clash - Larkham