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Digby Ioane, Scott Higginbotham and Sitaleki Timani released from 25-man Wallabies squad
By Jamie Pandaram The Courier-Mail June 02, 2013 10:36AM
The Wallabies have suffered major injury blows, with three frontline stars out from the squad to face the British and Irish Lions and halfback Nick Phipps a shock call-up on Sunday.
Winger Digby Ioane, backrower Scott Higginbotham, and lock Sitaleki Timani were released from Robbie Deans's 25-man squad and are now long odds to feature in the series.
In their place, NSW lock Kane Douglas, Force backrower Ben McCalman, and surprisingly, Melbourne halfback Phipps, have been called into the squad.
Ioane, Higginbotham and Timani would have been guaranteed starting players in the first Test on June 22, and their absence will rob the Wallabies of much-needed experience against the Lions, who started their campaign with a thumping 59-8 win over the Barbarians on Saturday night in Hong Kong.
Phipps is effectively replacing Ioane, though Deans said Brumbies halfback Nic White, who has been in sensational form, could be named as a third halfback in the squad when he names an additional six players on June 11.
Higginbotham, who has been performing superbly for the Rebels, dislocated his shoulder against Queensland on Saturday night.
Timani broke his thumb against the Crusaders on Friday night, while Ioane underwent an operation to his left knee last week and will be unable to train, but will remain with the Wallabies squad during his rehabilitation.
Deans has also invited playmaker Kurtley Beale to train with the squad next week, after the troubled star made a successful return to rugby via the Shute Shield yesterday, having entered a rehabilitation facility a fortnight ago to deal with alcohol-related issues.
The expected loss of Higginbotham and Timani is a huge blow for Australia's pack, given their rugged physicality will have been required against the confrontational Lions forwards.
Ioane is the first winger picked when fit, and if he does not regain fitness in time, his absence would pave the way for Israel Folau to start in the first Test.
"Digby is unable to train," Deans said. "His focus is on getting his knee right, which is why we've chosen to bring him in anyway, so we our medical staff can oversee the process.
"His absence from training opened up the opportunity to add another player. Nick [Phipps] has been playing well, has background with us through his experience last year and is a player who was always in our thoughts."
Phipps described the call up as a "pleasant surprise" admitting he felt he had "left my run too late" after starring in the Rebels upset win over the Stormers of South Africa, two days before the preliminary Wallabies squad was named.
"I'd been going OK, but felt my performance in that game, after I got on, was a step up from where I'd been," Phipps said.
"Possibly I'd been trying a bit too hard. I've really enjoyed my time with the Wallabies, especially last year when I got a few starts, and was pretty keen to get back there."
"I guess, like every other player in the country, I'm desperate to have a crack at the Lions. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, one that a lot of players don't get."
Deans added: "Nick proved last year that he had the qualities to make a difference in the Test arena.
"He was called on at a time of great adversity and responded. His work rate makes a big difference to those around him, as does his enthusiasm both on and off the field.
"Pleasingly he has taken the benefits of his experience from last year back to the Rebels and added to them. He has been a point of difference player for the team this year and one of the leaders within their group."
The Lions land in Perth tomorrow, beginning their six-week tour with a match against the Force on Wednesday.
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