The ACT Brumbies will give players as long as possible to prove they've overcome a contagious virus sweeping through the Super Rugby team.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Irae Simone, Darcy Swain, Bayley Kuenzle, Mack Hansen and assistant coach Peter Hewat have been quarantined with the mystery illness and were absent from the Brumbies' one-point loss to the Otago Highlanders on Saturday night.
Team doctors are still trying to work out what the ailment is in the hope it won't spread any further before Saturday's clash with the Waikato Chiefs.
Symptoms appear similar to mumps, but last week's blood tests ruled that out as the problem.
The affected group was assessed by medical staff on Sunday and will be kept in quarantine until they are no longer contagious.
It's unknown whether the quartet will be fit to travel with the rest of the team to Hamilton on Thursday.
The club doesn't want the ailment to impact their preparation for the New Zealand conference leaders and Dan McKellar will heed advice from medical staff before making selections.
"The guys will need to have a good training and preparation week, we can't go to the Chiefs without that," McKellar said.
"I'll have some decisions to make."
Their absence opened the door for 18-year-old Reesjan Pasitoa to make his debut as the second youngest player in Brumbies history.
The teenage playmaker replaced Noah Lolesio at flyhalf in the 72nd minute and could be called upon next week if Kuenzle struggles to recover in time.
Try-scoring hooker Folau Fainga'a wore a moonboot following their round-three loss, but McKellar says it was just a precaution to manage an ongoing toe issue. He'll also be assessed over the next few days.
The Brumbies' first away game of the season will be a daunting task against the Chiefs, who continued their unbeaten run with a 43-17 win over the Japanese Sunwolves on Sunday.
They've now scored 105 points in three games, the most of any team, and sit on top of the overall Super Rugby ladder.
No Australian team has beaten a New Zealand team so far this season, while the Brumbies also have the challenge of ending a 13 year losing streak at Waikato Stadium.
"It's always a significant challenge and we certainly believe we're capable of doing the job," McKellar said.
"The Chiefs are in good form, going to New Zealand will be a challenge across the board. We just have to make sure we review where our improvements are from [Saturday] night, train well and execute the plan we'll put in place."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND FOUR
Saturday: Waikato Chiefs v ACT Brumbies in Hamilton 5.05pm
Lucie Bertoldo
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
Lucie Bertoldo is a sports reporter for the Canberra Times.
