Wallabies halfback Will Genia has been cleared to play Saturday night's Tri Nations series decider despite being left dazed, bloodied and requiring six stitches from a training collision with Radike Samo.

Towering No.8 Samo's selection for his first Test start in seven years was partly attributed to his well-grooved scrum-base combination with Genia but their synchronicity needs to be much better at Suncorp Stadium against the All Blacks.

Samo collected Genia's head with his elbow in a highly-physical practice run at Ballymore on Tuesday and the halfback failed to finish the session.

He was left seething, watching from the sidelines, after attempting to return sporting bandages and headgear before quickly being rested.

Described as Australia's attacking mastermind by All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter, losing Genia would have been a massive blow to the Wallabies' hopes of winning their first Tri Nations title in 10 years.

Back-up halfback Luke Burgess is yet to play since breaking his hand two months ago, even though he was named on the bench for the past two Tri Nations Tests against New Zealand and South Africa.

But Wallabies coach Robbie Deans insisted Genia would be fine to play and the incident allowed Burgess to have the benefit of more time training with the starting team.

Normally, Samo and Genia - nicknamed Rusi by Queensland Reds teammates, after 35-year-old Samo's nine-year-old son who is almost as tall - are on the same wavelength and have a close bond.

But Samo said an irate Genia was in no mood for forgiveness after inadvertently getting in the way of the rampaging Fijian forward after passing him the ball in the full-contact session.

"He's not happy with me," said Samo, who apologised but did not get a response.

"From training at Ballymore all the way to the hotel (in the bus), he wasn't talking to me.

"I didn't know until straight after training when I saw he had tape all over his head, with the headgear."

Samo's inclusion in the starting pack, replacing fellow Reds back-rower Scott Higginbotham, comes on the back of his impressive cameo off the bench in the 14-9 win over South Africa on August 13.

It will be his eighth Test, and first start since the 2004 Wallabies' loss to New Zealand in Wellington.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP