James Horwill and Will Genia have been spared a quick return to the scene of their biggest rugby nightmare on Saturday after picking up injuries in the 41-16 defeat against the British & Irish Lions last weekend.
The fall out from the Lions dramatic win in the series against the Qantas Wallabies continues to be felt down under as Queensland Reds have been forced to go into their final Super Rugby game against the Waratahs without their two star players.
The game has been moved to the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, scene of the Lions’ series deciding victory, but Aussie skipper Horwill (calf) and Genia (knee) have been left out of the side by newly appointed Wallabies head coach Ewen McKenzie.
Both players are expected to be fit for the first week of the Super Rugby play-offs later in the month, but McKenzie has decided not to send them back into action at a venue where their dreams of holding onto the Tom Richards Trophy for Australia were shattered in a four try burst by the Lions a week earlier..
"I feel good, although obviously it'd be better not to have a calf injury. I was hoping to play this week because playing against NSW for Queensland is a big deal,” said Horwill. "It's disappointing, but the plan is to be right next week to take on whoever we face in the finals."
The Reds lie fifth in the standings and are guaranteed to feature in the post-season, but can still finish as high as fourth and host a match in the opening week of the finals. Horwill led the Reds to the Super Rugby title in 2011.
