Samu clear, Uelese out for Aussies’ Ireland test

Crusaders flanker Peter Samu has been cleared to debut for the Wallabies against Ireland but that good news is offset by the loss of hooker Jordan Uelese to a knee injury, likely for the rest of the season.

Samu was able to join the Australian squad in Brisbane yesterday ahead of the first Test at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday, after New Zealand Rugby (NZR) agreed to release him following days of haggling with Rugby Australia (RA). Coach Michael Cheika’s delight was heavily tempered last night by the diagnosis for Uelese, the most experienced hooker in the squad named last week after just two appearances off the bench.

He has a suspected ruptured ACL suffered in the Melbourne Rebels’ win over the Blues in Auckland on Saturday. Instead of flying to Brisbane, Uelese returned to Melbourne for further scans this week.