Gregan still a slim chance to face NZ - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Gregan still a slim chance to face NZ

By Adrian Warren 07/07/2004 06:59:13 PM Comments (0)

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones will know by Saturday whether his injured skipper George Gregan has any chance of playing in the opening Tri Nations rugby Test against New Zealand in Wellington next week.

Halfback Gregan, who'll make his 100th Test appearance if fit, was named in a 27-man squad to assemble in Coffs Harbour, despite suffering from a shoulder problem.

Named in the squad for the first time this season was veteran centre Nathan Grey, who made the most recent of his 35 Test appearances last November when he came off the bench in the world cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Gregan injured an AC shoulder joint in last Saturday's Test against the Pacific Islanders and was expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks.

Jones said Gregan only had a "very slim chance" of playing Saturday week but was recovering well and would be given every opportunity to prove his fitness.

"We will a have pretty good idea by this Saturday. If he looks like a chance of playing, then we will give him more time," Jones said.

"If he's not a chance of playing by Saturday, then we will pull him out."

With centre Stirling Mortlock and prop Matt Dunning cleared to resume training after recovering from facial injuries, the only frontline player omitted from the squad was fullback Joe Roff.

Jones confirmed Roff would be out for a minimum of six weeks after undergoing an arthroscopy on his injured right knee.

With either Chris Latham or Matthew Burke, who were on the bench for last weekend's test, expected to replace Roff, Grey could come into contention for a spot on the bench in Wellington.

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