Australia's Wycliff Palu to return home

Australia's number 8 Wycliff Palu is return to Australia after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring strain in his left leg in Friday's Pool C 67-5 defeat of USA, the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) said in a media release on Tuesday.

Scans in Christchurch on Monday revealed the extent of the damage and the 29 year old is expected to need six weeks of rehabilitation before he is deemed fit enough for selection again.

“It’s bad luck for Wycliff. Unfortunately his previous history of injury in this area has impacted, in terms of lengthening the timelines that are required for his rehabilitation,” Wallabies' coach Robbie Deans said

While Palu, who has been capped 38 times, will be replaced in Australia’s 30-man squad, Deans said the selectors would be taking their time with that decision, and may even delay any call until after this weekend’s final pool match against Russia in Nelson.

Second row Dan Vickerman and full back Kurtley Beale also underwent scans in Christchurch and Vickerman was cleared of any problems in his leg.

Beale, who left the field during the first half of the win over USA was diagnosed with a minor hamstring strain which will see him rested for Saturday's match in order to get him ready for a possible quarter-final the following weekend.

Backs Pat McCabe (shoulder), Anthony Faingaa (head) and Rob Horne (cheek) also left the field during Australia’s third pool match.

Concussion protocols

Faingaa is following the IRB concussion protocols required by the tournament and could be available for Australia’s next match, the ARU said. Although McCabe and Horne will miss the Russia match, the timelines have been established for their return to playing duties, and they will both be remaining with the squad.

McCabe has made considerable progress with his injury and is expected to be fit for consideration for a possible quarter-final place, while a possible semi-final has been set as the return date for Horne after he also underwent scans in Christchurch.

Although unavailable to play, Horne will run with the squad during its public training in Hanmer Springs on Tuesday afternoon.

Winger Digby Ioane is continuing his rehabilitation from a dislocated thumb sustained in Australia’s opening match, a 32-6 defeat of Italy, and is on track to be available should the Wallabies qualify for the quarter-finals.

Flankers David Pocock (back) and Scott Higginbotham (back), winger James O’Connor (hamstring) and lock James Horwill (shoulder) are all expected to be available for selection for the match against Russia.