Cancer survivor Christian Lealiifano’s Super Rugby comeback has been postponed due to hamstring tightness.
Lealiifano was expected to be named on the Brumbies bench for Friday night’s clash with the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
But coach Stephen Larkham said on Thursday he had pulled up sore from training with the Brumbies deciding to err on the side of caution.
“He tightened up at training yesterday and a couple of days out from the game there’s no point risking it,” Larkham said.
Lealiifano is on the comeback trail after being diagnosed with leukaemia last year and undergoing a bone marrow transplant.
While the injury is minor, if no improvement is shown in the coming days the 29-year-old could also miss the Brumbies’ final regular season game against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
“We’ll just see how he pulls up. If he doesn’t loosen up over the next couple of days then maybe not,” Larkham said.
Even if he doesn’t play in the last round of Super Rugby, Lealiifano is still a chance to line up in the Brumbies’ home quarter-final against either the Hurricanes or the Chiefs on July 21.
“If his body’s right and his mind’s right, he’ll be available for selection,” Larkham said.
Lealiifano travelled to Brisbane with the squad on Thursday and will run water and messages during the match, a role he has filled while recovering.
Meanwhile, Argentina halfback Tomas Cubelli will make his return from a knee injury he suffered in a pre-season trial match against the Reds.
Cubelli made a comeback for the Brumbies alongside Lealiifano in an exhibition match in Singapore last month.
“He came on for the last 30 minutes over there and really added some spark and energy to the group. I think that’s what we’ll be looking for,” Larkham said.
If veteran prop Ben Alexander comes off the bench to win his 143rd cap he will break the Brumbies’ appearance record, with the man he is surpassing, George Smith, set to line up in the Reds’ backrow.
Brumbies: Tom Banks, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Aidan Toua, Wharenui Hawera, Joe Powell, Jordan Smiler, Chris Alcock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter (capt), Rory Arnold, Allan Alaalatoa, Josh Mann-Rea, Scott Sio. Res: Robbie Abel, Ben Alexander, Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin, Blake Enever, Jarrad Butler, Tomas Cubelli, Nigel Ah Wong, Andrew Smith.
