Wallabies star could miss Fiji clash with hamstring complaint

Wallabies star Taniela Tupou missed training and could be absent for the clash against Fiji set to be played early Monday morning AEST.

The Wallabies camp confirmed Tupou is grappling with a hamstring concern as they gear up for their next match, following the win over Georgia in the opening round of the Rugby World Cup.

Though an essential pick as a tighthead prop when fit, Tupou was conspicuously absent during the Wallabies’ practice in central France on Wednesday.

While the team was engrossed in their training drills, Tupou opted to remain on the sidelines alongside the Australian conditioning team. Jason Ryles, the attack coach, shed light on Tupou’s situation, confirming his minor injury.

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“Taniela is on the sideline at the moment. He has got a bit of a hamstring complaint but we’re just going to monitor him and just see how he goes over the next couple of days,” he said.

“He didn’t train today but that’s not unusual for Taniela, don’t worry.”

James Slipper, the former captain and loosehead prop, also missed training as he’s recuperating from a foot injury. Slipper was absent from the Wallabies’ inaugural match triumph against Georgia and is now in a race against time to be fit for the impending match in St Etienne.

“Slips has been managed at this stage. I think he’s certainly in the picture but we’re not exactly sure how that’s going to pan out,” Ryles said.

Wallabies lock Nick Frost is on the verge of returning from an an ear injury, suffered during the Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand.

The Wallabies are a $1.30 favourite with Australian online bookmakers to defeat Fiji ($3.50), who lost their opening Rugby World Cup clash to Wales 32-26.

The Wallabies won their opening match against Georgia 35-15 in a far from convincing performance.

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