Giteau joins squad at Camp Wallaby

Brumbies inside centre Matt Giteau has joined the 33-man Wallabies squad in camp at Coffs Harbour today, but remains only a slim chance of being fit for the opening Test of the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series against England at Telstra Stadium next Sunday.

Giteau had surgery to remove a bursa from his right knee two weeks ago after suffering repeated knocks to the knee during his Tooheys New Super 14 campaign with the Brumbies.

The 23-year-old was not named in the squad announced on Monday, but will spend two days with the squad at their Coffs Harbour base alongside injured Reds lock Hugh McMeniman.

Giteau completed a weights session upon his arrival to Camp Wallaby this morning.

“At this stage it’s probably unlikely that I’ll be ready to play next week but we’ll see how it responds to some training before making a call on it,” he said.

“(The knee) has settled down really well after the surgery but I still haven’t run on it so it’s hard to say exactly where it’s at,” he said.

Wallabies Coach John Connolly holds only slim hopes of having the star centre available for selection for next week’s Test in Sydney.

“We’re reviewing (Giteau) today but it’s very unlikely that he’ll be available,” said Connolly.

Reds utility Hugh McMeniman has been ruled out of first Test calculations after surgery to repair nerve damage in his right shoulder; however Connolly was keen to expose the 114kg forward to the camp.

“It’s important we keep him on track so he’ll be down for a couple of days to observe the camp and work with the medical staff,” he said.

Related Article:

Nine rookies named in Wallabies 33-man Test squad (Mon May 29)