Harris to miss three months

Melbourne Rebels fullback Mike Harris will miss up to three months of the Super Rugby season with a quad injury.

Harris was taken off partway through the opening half, after replacing Jack Debreczeni at flyhalf in the starting lineup.

The 27-year-old’s loss is a major blow for the Rebels, though the performance of debutant Reece Hodge last weekend shows the side has depth to cover the fullback position.

Scans showed on Monday that Colby Faingaa strained his elbow in the match, putting him out for up to six weeks.

Captain Nic Stirzaker is set to miss at least another week with a shoulder setback, not travelling with the team to South Africa.

Japanese recruit Kotaro Matsushima, Culum Retallick and Paul Asquith will join an extended rebels squad in South Africa ahead of their clash with the Bulls.

Rising star Sefa Naivalu is still out indefinitely with a leg injury suffered in last year’s Super Rugby competition.