Resilient Smith suffers rare injury
Resilient Wallabies flanker George Smith's injury luck finally ran out on a day which also produced bad news for Matthew Burke but better fortune for Mat Rogers.
Smith, who couldn't recall missing a rugby game through injury in four years of top flight rugby, was ruled out of the Tests against Wales and England over the next two weekends because of nerve damage in his neck and left shoulder.
Coach Eddie Jones said versatile back Rogers would be considered for selection against Wales next weekend after coming through training.
But fullback Burke would not be considered for either that match or NSW's clash with Samoa on Thursday after aggravating his knee.
Jones hoped to have Smith back for Australia's opening Tri Nations game on July 12 against South Africa in Capetown and said Phil Waugh was the logical replacement for Saturday's clash with Wales in Sydney.
Smith said the injury occurred when he stretched one side of his neck in a tackle in the first half of the win over Ireland in Perth.
He felt "a slight tingling" around the shoulder area but continued to play on.
"It's my first injury in four years of playing rugby, it's unfortunate to have it at this stage of the year but I guess it's a positive that I have a couple of week's rest."
Burke and Rogers, who missed last Saturday's Test, underwent medicals and trained with the Australian squad on Monday.
"Mat Rogers got through the session today and medically he's been cleared so he's OK to go," Jones said.
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