Kurtley Beale. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Concern is growing within the Australia squad over whether injured fullback Kurtley Beale will be fit in time to play New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup semifinals on Sunday.
Beale strained his hamstring in the 11-9 win over defending champion South Africa in the quarterfinals last Sunday and hasn't practiced with the team since.
Wallabies coaching coordinator David Nucifora on Thursday said he hoped Beale will be able to train on Friday morning to show some progress.
"He's progressing,'' Nucifora said. "We don't have a totally clear idea just yet as to whether he's going to make it.''
Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will announce his match lineup at Friday lunchtime.
Beale has been undergoing intensive rehabilitation, and his teammates have said all week that starting without him on Eden Park this weekend will be a severe blow.
Nucifora suggested they might be willing to give Beale until Sunday to prove his fitness if he can participate in practice on Friday.
Beale, capped 23 times, has been the Wallabies' leading fullback since the 2010 Tri-Nations.
Their options if Beale can't play include shifting James O'Connor from the right wing to fullback, where he started his career with the Wallabies and played in the pool win over Russia. Center Adam Ashley-Cooper, who leads the team with five tries in this World Cup, can play fullback and wing, and could switch to the wing to allow a recall in midfield for Berrick Barnes.
"We're fortunate we can play different combinations,'' Nucifora said.
Meanwhile, inside center Pat McCabe (shoulder) and prop Sekope Kepu (ankle) were on track to be fully fit.
- AP
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