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Australian rugby confirmed Sunday that Wallabies lock Adam Coleman has travelled to Sydney with his teammates ahead of the deciding third Test against Ireland.
Scans cleared Coleman of a facial fracture, after fears he had fractured an eye socket or cheekbone when he collided with teammate Israel Folau on Saturday night.
After the collision, Coleman remained in the game and made several tackles before eventually being forced from the field, and remaining off the field after failing an HIA.
The facial injury had swelled up by the end of the match, and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said afterwards that Coleman had a “golf ball” on the side of his face.
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Coleman is potentially available for Saturday’s series decider after experiencing no side effects from the head knock.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t all good news for the Wallabies.
Halfback Will Genia – a teammate of Coleman at the Rebels – suffered a broken arm early in the match after being taken out off the ball by Irish prop Cian Healy.
The Wallabies halfback has since had a plate inserted in his arm and is hoping to be fit for the Rugby Championship in August.
First-five eighth Bernard Foley said that in Genia’s absence the side would only need to make minor adjustments.
“Will’s got a great understanding of the game and can control the game exceptionally well through his running, his kicking and his passing,” Foley told reporters yesterday.
Foley’s Waratahs teammate Nick Phipps is the likely replacement for Genia on Saturday.
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“Nick’s just a hard worker,” Foley said.
“He’s someone who just works tirelessly for the 80 minutes, makes sure that the speed of ball is phenomenally quick and keeps the forwards in line.
“There will be small adjustments, but nothing too significant that’s going to change the way we’re going to play.”
The series will be decided on Saturday in front of a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
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