The ACT Brumbies' reinforcements hope they can provide the confidence boost required to get the team firing and help erase the memory of a horror start to the season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Wallabies captain Rocky Elsom, Stephen Moore, Mitchell Chapman and Huia Edmonds are all expected to be named in the Brumbies' 26-strong touring squad for their two-game trip to South Africa.
But while the four-man cavalry is ready to return from injury, it could come too late with the Brumbies' Super Rugby campaign slipping away.
The quartet shares 260 Super Rugby caps and their inclusion is crucial to a team desperate to restore pride for the two-time competition winners.
Provided they get through training unscathed this week, they will join their teammates for games against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein on May 1 and the Durban Sharks in Durban on May 8.
It's the first time Elsom has been available for selection this season.
The powerful blindside flanker has been battling a persistent hamstring injury since the Wallabies spring tour of Europe late last year.
Moore (ankle), Chapman (cheekbone) and Edmonds (hamstring) all missed the Brumbies' loss to the Western Force two days ago.
Their absence left an inexperienced forward pack exposed as the Force secured a 27-19 victory at Canberra Stadium.
"If we come back into the side we're going to have a job to do there," Moore said.
"It's up to us to do it, we've played a lot of footy now and the younger guys certainly look up to the senior guys to perform when you're on the field. That's what we plan to do."
Hooker Moore injured his ankle in the round-four loss to the Canterbury Crusaders.
Chapman fractured his cheekbone in the same game and neither has played since, while back-up rake Edmonds strained his hamstring against the Wellington Hurricanes two weeks ago.
Moore said injuries could not be blamed for the Brumbies' poor start to the season.
They have won just two of their eight games and the are fighting to hold on to 11th place on the ladder.
Elsom has been slowly building his running load at training.
He is expected to rejoin the main squad when the Brumbies return to the field on Thursday.
Should he prove his fitness, ACT coach Tony Rea will be presented with a significant dilemma in the forward pack.
Elsom is one of the best blindside flankers in the world, but he hasn't played a match since last November.
Chapman held on to the No6 jumper in Elsom's absence before requiring surgery on his fractured cheekbone.
And Peter Kimlin has made a solid return to the starting line-up with both Chapman and Elsom on the sideline.
"Last year I played a full season in the second row and Rocky was there at six," Chapman said.
"I think myself and Kimmo are pretty adaptable in that we can play where the coaches see fit.
"Hopefully we can just train well and push guys to play better.
"I enjoyed playing [in the second row] last year and the responsibility with the lineout. I'll be happy wherever I can get a start."
The Brumbies received further good news yesterday with both Dan Palmer and Ita Vaea being cleared of serious injuries.
Palmer and Vaea did not return to the field after half-time against the Force. Prop Palmer injured his back while Vaea corked his knee.
Chapman has slowly been easing himself back into training, but is yet to rejoin full-contact sessions.
"I just have to do a few more tests to make sure I'm confident [in the cheekbone] and then hopefully we can get a few wins [in South Africa]," Chapman said.
"It's still pretty tender."
Canberra Times
