Burgess; Sharpe out of Qantas Wallabies Squad for South Africa

Luke Burgess will miss the South African tour after suffering a knee injury at training.

Qantas Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has today named a 28-man squad for the South African leg of the 2008 Tri Nations tournament, with both Luke Burgess and Nathan Sharpe to miss the tour.

Six-Test scrumhalf Luke Burgess has been ruled out with a knee injury, after suffering a knock in training yesterday.

Unfortunately for the 24-year-old Waratah, the knee became swollen yesterday evening, before an MRI scan this morning showed he had torn the meniscus.

Burgess is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks and is also unlikely to play in the final Tri Nations match against New Zealand in Brisbane next month.

The other shock exclusion is lock Nathan Sharpe, with coach Deans opting for the more versatile duo of Hugh McMeniman and Dean Mumm ahead of the 69-Test veteran in the squad.

Dan Vickerman, now back to full fitness, and James Horwill are expected to start in the second row, while McMeniman and the recalled Mumm will compete for the Number 6 jersey, if Rocky Elsom fails to recover from his foot injury.

Other injury doubts, Elsom (foot), James Horwill (lower leg), Berrick Barnes (flu) and Adam Ashley Cooper (hand) have all been selected and are expected to be available for selection at some stage during the tour.

Qantas Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock, also recovering from flu, said the injury to Burgess was unfortunate but it provided both backup scrumhalfs, Brett Sheehan and Sam Cordingly, the opportunity to stake their claim.

“It is bitterly disappointing for Luke and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery, but both Brett Sheehan and Sam Cordingley have been putting up their hand and are itching for the opportunity to play in the nine jersey,” said Mortlock.

Qantas Wallabies Squad to tour South Africa