Wallabies stars affected by stomach bug

Israel Folau, Bernard Foley and Adam Coleman have been isolated from teammates in the Wallabies’ camp, while Michael Cheika sweats on availability of David Pocock.

Wallabies Israel Folau (front) and Bernard Foley, pictured training in London on Tuesday, were isolated from teammates after contracting a stomach bug. Picture: Getty Images

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Wallabies players affected by a stomach virus were all able to train on Tuesday, while David Pocock remains in doubt for the clash against England.

Pocock was the only player not to train at The Lensbury ground on Tuesday, however, given this will be the last Test of the year, it is expected the flanker will recover from the neck injury suffered last week against Italy and take the field at Twickenham.

Israel Folau, Bernard Foley and Adam Coleman had been isolated from teammates in the Wallabies’ camp after contracting stomach bugs in Italy last week.

Wallabies Israel Folau (front) and Bernard Foley, pictured training in London on Tuesday, were isolated from teammates after contracting a stomach bug. Picture: Getty Images

The virus had affected up to 10 players and spread to staff in the team, but most have recovered.

Folau was only able to eat his first meal in several days on Tuesday morning.

If Pocock is ruled out, Pete Samu is in line to line up at No.8 for the Wallabies.

It would cap an extraordinary ride for the 26-year-old, who grew up in Melbourne, spent a year playing at English club St Ives in Cornwall when he was 18, moved to New Zealand and won two Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders before signing with the Brumbies for 2019, making him eligible for the Wallabies this year.

Samu, who debuted for Australia against Ireland in June and has since played seven Tests, had a frosty introduction to English rugby as a teenager.

“In my junior footy in Melbourne, my coach was from England and he hooked me up with a team over here, he asked me if I was keen to head over,” Samu said.

“I was straight out of school and wasn’t doing anything so I thought why not give it a crack.

“I was 18. It was definitely a good experience being out in St Ives.

Adam Coleman was also isolated because of the stomach bug. Picture: AP

“There was a game we were meant to be playing and it started snowing and I thought the game was going to get cancelled. I didn’t get changed.

“Then the boys came up to me and asked me what I was doing and I said ‘oh it’s snowing’. They were like well we will be out warming up in five minutes and I was like ‘oh f---’ and got changed.”

Samu, who spent his first year at the Crusaders training against Richie McCaw, knew he’d be up against hot competition in Pocock and Michael Hooper for a backrow Wallabies spot.

“They are both definitely great leaders,” Samu said.

“It is good because they are the same position so we all feed off each other. I get quite shocked when they ask me for tips on things to do. I give them tips, more off the field.”

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Originally published as Wallabies stars affected by stomach bug