Several Australia players have been laid low by a virus sweeping through the Kangaroos camp ahead of Saturday’s Four Nations against New Zealand in Wellington.
As many as five players have been quarantined ahead of the tournament decider to be held at Westpac Stadium.
It is the third time the Australian rugby league team has been affected by illness during the four-week end-of-season tournament.
Greg Inglis couldn’t return after halftime in Australia’s first week loss to the Kiwis in Brisbane and coach Tim Sheens was stuck down in the lead-in to the win over England in Melbourne two weeks ago.
Kangaroos back-rower Greg Bird said the situation was a concern but the players affected should be right by Saturday.
“I think there are about four or five blokes (affected) this morning,” Bird told Sky Sports Radio on Wednesday.
“Training is going to be a little bit different today.I’m sure the boys will get themselves sorted out by Saturday.”
Bird said Beau Scott was unlikely to return from a hamstring injury suffered against England and Sheens has indicated he will play the same 17 in the final as the one which easily disposed of Samoa in Wollongong on Sunday.
“He’s (Sheens) been on edge a little bit in the last couple of weeks, under the pump losing the first game,” Bird said.
We’re in the final now and he can settle down and focus at the job at hand.”
With both Inglis and Daly Cherry-Evans unable to take Suncorp Stadium after halftime, Australia were comprehensively beaten 30-12 by New Zealand three weeks ago.
That was the first outing for a new-look rookie Kangaroos side which were beaten well in the middle third of the field.
With two games under their belt since then Bird believed the Kangaroos were now a far more formidable side, but expected New Zealand to try and continue their brutal forward dominance on Saturday.
“They were quite successful at it really,” he said
“We’ve got to play smarter, I think. Just more control. A little bit more fluent with the ball – it was a little erratic in game one.
“The combinations have been thought out a little bit better now and hopefully we can get a win.”
