Brumbies hooker Connal McInerney cleared of neck injury, Nick Frost rested for Super Round

Hooker Connal McInerney was walked off the field wearing a brace, after he went down during training drills on Wednesday following a head knock.

He was assessed by head physiotherapist Ed Hollis on-field at Bruce and was deemed well enough to walk off the training park wearing the support device.

It would have been another injury blow for the 27-year-old, who has featured in three Super Rugby games this season, after an interrupted pre-season.

A niggling foot injury put him behind early as he tried to work his way back into Dan McKellar's 23-man squad.

And any major damage to his neck on Wednesday would have likely spelled the end of McInerney's Super Rugby season.

Thankfully the Brumbies coach confirmed the neck brace was precautionary, and the hooker was still set to line up for the Canberra Royals this weekend to get more minutes under his belt.

"It was more precautionary," McKellar confirmed.

"So he's got a bump on the back of his head there so he'll be OK. Obviously, the plan for him was to play for Royals this week.

"So we'll see how he pulls up but you just don't want to muck around with neck issues. So Ed's [Hollis] just taking him off to get double checked."

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Even though the Wallabies hooker was not named in the Brumbies side headed to Melbourne to face the Otago Highlanders on Sunday, the side needs all players fit and ready to go against their Kiwi counterparts in the next six games.

The Brumbies camp confirmed on Thursday the double checks were all clear, and McInerney would be back on the park vying for a spot next week in their home fixture against the Wellington Hurricanes.

The side sits second on the Super Rugby ladder after eight games, on equal points with the Auckland Blues, with seven wins to their name.

In a boost for the side, they will welcome back Noah Lolesio (ankle) and Cadeyrn Neville (shoulder) from injury. The pair will start on Sunday against the Highlanders, to kick-start their battle against New Zealand sides, and newcomers Moana Pasifika.

Three key players are still sidelined by injuries, with Allan Alaalatoa (disc in neck), Tom Banks (fractured cheekbone) and Jesse Mogg (posterior cruciate ligament).

Banks and Alaalatoa are chances to make a return in round 11, but Mogg is likely to be sidelined for several more weeks with his knee injury.

Neville's return came at the ideal time for the Brumbies, as fellow lock Nick Frost has been getting some grief from his knee.

In their last game, a 21-point triumph over Fijian Drua, Tom Hooper moved into the number five jersey and Frost came off the bench 10 minutes into the second half.

The 22-year-old was not named in the squad heading to the Super Round this weekend, before the club confirmed he was being rested for the Highlanders fixture due to his knee.

Frost has been an important figure in the Brumbies game plan this season, having featured in every game so far, both as a starter and impact player off the bench.

The future Wallaby will be back in the locks ranks next week for round 11 against the Wellington Hurricanes.

Sunday: Otago Highlanders v ACT Brumbies in Melbourne, 2pm.

Brumbies team: 1. Scott Sio, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Sefo Kautai , 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White (c), 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Andy Muirhead, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Cam Clark, 15. Tom Wright. Reserves: 16. Folau Fainga'a, 17. James Slipper, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Tom Hooper, 20. Luke Reimer, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Rod Iona, 23. Hudson Creighton.

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