Aussies Sweat on Palu

Australia's back-row problems have deepened this week with the news that Wycliff Palu, already ruled out of the Tri-Nations with a shoulder injury, has now picked up a knee problem that will require surgery. Number-eight Palu now faces a race against time to be fit for Australia's World Cup campaign starting next month in New Zealand, with head coach Robbie Deans having to formulate a series of back up plans. The news comes just days after his fellow number eight Richard Brown was ruled out of the World Cup after undergoing shoulder surgery. Anyone looking at the Betfair World Cup 2011 rugby betting  will know Australia are facing a mini crisis.

Palu's injury has been described as nothing overly serious and more an irritant that the management had decided to get sorted now, leaving the Waratah's man with an outside chance of returning to action in time. It's by no means the first time Palu has struggled injury, with a long history of various ailments throughout the 28-year-old's career. Knee and shoulder injuries have seen Palu miss large chunks of the Super Rugby seasons over recent years, with the number eight experiencing another stop-start campaign last season.

It was still thought the 36-cap forward would have a major part to play for the Aussies during the upcoming World Cup, but now the powerful back-rower will need to focus on recovering from two different injuries at the same time. Robbie Deans will want to give his first choice number eight every chance to return to fitness in time but the coach must name his final 30-man squad in just a couple of weeks. Including a half-fit Palu won't do anyone any good though, with the tournament not really suited to easing players back gently from injury. Fans of rugby betting should bear this in mind.

Australia will first have to see their way safely through this shortened Tri-Nations campaign, without losing any more back-rows. There are a number of exciting rookie number eights that will have their chance to prove their worth to Deans and his coaching staff. Ben McCalman and Scott Higginbotham will now be looking to impress during this Tri-Nations campaign. Both have had impressive domestic campaigns and will now have a very real chance of representing their country at a World Cup.