TWICKENHAM TEST: TASSIE LOCK MUST PROVE HIS FITNESS
PACK enforcer Adam Coleman faces a crucial fitness test tonight that will decide if the Wallabies throw a powerful clenched fist or a hopeful haymaker at England.
The Tasmanian took no part in Tuesday’s session with the thumb injury sustained against Wales last weekend and upgraded his involvement only slightly yesterday when he ran with the team to open training.
Bypassing a kick-catching drill and holding a limbo-style pole, set up to assist teammates through a session of low cleanouts into padded shields, was aimed at keeping the digit from a friendly fire incident.
The 20-Test lock is essential to the mood and aggression of the Wallabies pack and playing an inexperienced alternative would seriously diminish Sunday’s chances of redressing the ugly 0-4 run in Tests against England last year.
Assistant coach Steve Larkham was upbeat when quizzed on whether Coleman was certain to play.
“He pulled up really well out of the game,” Larkham said.
“We’re just making sure that we do right by him so he’s certainly on track to play.”
There is no Wallaby who can replace the 15 dominant tackles that Coleman hurls into every outing, his big dog persona or his lineout acumen beside stalwart Rob Simmons.
What complicates the critical Coleman case is impressive Lukhan Tui still being touch-and-go to return from the hamstring injury that has sidelined the young back-up lock from the opening two Tests of the tour.
Tui is a wait-and-see case as well, which pitches raw-boned Matt Philip into the frame as a possible starter. ISRAEL Folau’s 12-try spree in 2017 has earned him a shot at breaking the All Blacks’ stranglehold on World Rugby’s coveted Player of the Year award.
It is Folau’s first nomination for the gong, which has gone to a player from the world champion All Blacks for seven of the past eight years.
Bledisloe Cup-winning All Blacks Beauden Barrett and Rieko Ioane have been nominated, along with England’s Owen Farrell and Maro Itoje, both standouts for the British and Irish Lions. The winner is announced on November 26.