Wallabies' Moore to miss 12 weeks

[blueandblack]

Wallabies rake Stephen Moore returned to Australia on Sunday night with a re-wired jaw and his Test season in tatters.

Moore underwent surgery on Saturday in Christchurch following a nasty break early in the Brumbies' 40-22 loss to the Crusaders which extinguished their Super 14 finals hopes.

The 46-Test hooker is facing 12 weeks on the sidelines, ruling Moore out of next month's internationals against Fiji, England and Ireland and the first half of the Tri-Nations.

His absence opens the door for the man who switched from the Brumbies to Queensland, forcing his own move to Canberra - Saia Faingaa.

In-form Waratahs powerhouse Tatafu Polota-Nau will now take over Australia's No.2 jersey from Moore but he would likely be rested from the season's opening Test against Fiji on June 5 if NSW make the Super 14 final.

Following his superb rise for the Reds, Faingaa would be a certain selection in Robbie Deans' extended 40-man Test squad while Brumbies back-up Huia Edmonds and Western Force duo Pek Cowan and Nathan Charles would also be in the mix.

Faingaa missed the Reds' 38-36 win over the Highlanders with a neck injury but is expected to be fit after a short break.

Wallabies selectors will also nervously wait for results from scans of a knee injury to Queensland halfback Will Genia.

Genia played the last hour of the Reds' win on one leg, twice pulling off crucial try-saving plays in the process, after suffering a medial ligament strain.

Boom Queensland blind-side flanker Scott Higginbotham will also be checked on Monday after limping off in the first half with an ankle injury.

[TOCC]

TPN to start with Faingaa on the bench, possibly call in Edmonds or Fitzpatrick as well