Injured Australia flanker Rocky Elsom has been ruled out of next week's Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Cape Town despite making steady progress recovering from a knee injury.
Elsom has not played for the Wallabies all season because of the problem but coach Robbie Deans hoped to have him back soon.
‘He got some work in over the weekend and hasn't had any setbacks as a result of that work, so he is progressing well,’ Deans told reporters at training in Sydney on Tuesday.
‘He's at the point now where he can up the ante in terms of the volume and he seems to be responding well to it.
‘Finally, he's turning the corner, he won't be considered for Cape Town but the signs are pretty good after that.’
Elsom's unavailability for the Aug. 8 match is a blow to a Wallaby pack that was outmuscled by New Zealand earlier this month and bracing for a tougher challenge from the Springboks.
‘They are a very good side and they've been that for a while and they just exude that belief,’ Deans said.
‘If you don't accept the physical challenge then there won't be a lot to feed off, so that's one area where we are going to have to step up.’
Deans also revealed he was planning to break the habit of a lifetime by speaking with the referee before the match to avoid a repetition of the scrum penalties that hurt the Australians against the All Blacks.
‘It's an area we've got to master, because it just makes your life so much harder when you've got decisions that impact on the flow of that game,’ Deans said.
Elsom out of Springbok match
