Injury forces Price out for Australia

Australia have suffered a major injury blow on the eve of the World Cup final against New Zealand with veteran prop Steve Price ruled out.

The 33-year-old New Zealand Warriors front row will miss tomorrow’s game at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium after tearing his left calf muscle at the team’s final training session today.

Price pulled up suddenly during a routine drill and, after consultation with the team’s medical staff, was withdrawn from the squad.

The Kangaroos will announce a replacement tomorrow but are expected to promote Manly prop Brent Kite into the starting line-up and bring in his Sea Eagles’ team-mate Josh Perry onto the bench.

Perry, 27, was on the bench for Australia’s opening pool matches against New Zealand and England but made way for second rower Craig Fitzgibbon in the last two games.

The Kangaroos received some good news today when loose forward Paul Gallen completed training after initially struggling with a “dead leg” and will take his place in the team.

Anthony Whatmough had been placed on stand-by.

Coach Ricky Stuart had already been forced to make one change to the side that beat Fiji 52-0 last Sunday, with winger David Williams taking the place of the injured Brent Tate.

Williams scored a hat-trick of tries on debut against Papua New Guinea a fortnight ago and, according to assistant coach John Cartwright, will not let his team down.

“He had a great year with the Sea Eagles and he’s prepared all week like he’s gong to play so he’ll be alright,” he said.