Wallabies receive injury boost ahead of World Cup

Australia have received a shot in the arm ahead of their Rugby World Cup opener with Georgia with the news that star centre Samu Kerevi has been ruled fit for Saturday’s clash at the Stade de France.

Wallabies assistant coach Neal Hatley told reporters on Wednesday that Kerevi took part in a full training session and was “available” for selection for the clash with the Lelos.

This follows speculation about the 29-year-old continuing recovery from a hand injury – sustained in their Bledisloe Cup loss in Dunedin – as he didn’t train with the Wallabies on Tuesday.

However, Wallabies scrum-half Nic White revealed on Wednesday that Kerevi had been back to his best after a full training session.

“Bumped me quite nice – and he’s running through blokes!” White told AAP.

“Yeah, he was good today.”

When asked why Kerevi did not participate in Tuesday’s training session, Hatley said: “No specific reason. He has a really individualised plan with with (physiotherapist) John Pryor and (strength and conditioning coach) Jon Clarke, to make sure that at the back end of the week, he’s in a very best position to be able to contribute the team if he’s called on.”

“He’s available. (Coach) Eddie (Jones) will make the final decisions on that today and tonight.”

There is a possibility that Jones could give Kerevi another week off, saving him for what could potentially be a tougher second match for the Wallabies against Fiji. 

If Kerevi is not selected to face Georgia then Lalakai Foketi should at inside centre alongside Jordan Petaia in midfield.

Meanwhile, highly rated teenager Max Jorgensen could make history by becoming the youngest Wallaby ever to play at a World Cup in their opener against Georgia.

When asked about the exciting youngster who turned 19 at the weekend, White couldn’t hide his excitement.