Melbourne Rebels training. Hugh Pyle and Michael Lipman Picture: Norm Oorloff Source: News Limited
MELBOURNE recruit Jason Woodward has been injured in a freak training accident and will be sidelined for six weeks.
Regarded as probable starter in Melbourne's season-opening clash with Western Force at AAMI Park on February 15, Woodward will undergo surgery today on his finger.
Woodward, 22, has impressed since joining the Rebels from the Wellington Lions.
An accomplished kicker, Woodward was expected to start at fullback in Saturday's trial against the NSW Waratahs at North Hobart Oval.
Club spokesman Adam Freier said Woodward had torn tendons when he caught his finger in another player's shorts during a training drill.
Melbourne has named four captains and 11 debutants for the trial with NSW.
James O'Connor, Nic Stirzaker, Gareth Delve and Nic Henderson will all share the captaincy, while newcomers Rory Sidey and Scott Fuglistaller will play their first match for the Rebels.
Coach Damien Hill has named five internationals - O'Connor, Delve, Nick Phipps, Cooper Vuna and Kurtley Beale - to start the trial.
Hill said the bulk of the squad was available and all would get game time.
``Thirty-two of the 35 players are available at this stage and will be participating in the trial,'' he said.
``Kimami Sitauti unfortunately had a pretty serious ankle injury late last year and will the miss most of 2013 season.
``Scott Higginbotham won't take part in the trial, but we are hopeful he will be available for round one against the Western Force.
``Jason sustained an unfortunate finger injury yesterday at training which requires immediate surgery.
``We are expecting him to be out for six weeks and make a full recovery, which will see him come back into consideration for round four of the Super Rugby competition.''
Melbourne plays three of its first four matches at AAMI Park and all are local derbies - Force, Brumbies and Queensland Reds.
Saturday's trial will not only provide a measure of the club's development but will also present more clues over who will captain it in 2013.
The club will also assess the four different captains in a trial against the Hurricanes at Geelong on February 9.
Welshman Delve remains the likely captain, but Hill is keen to create a leadership pool at the club.
O'Connor is a possibility as vice-captain for the season proper.
Front-rower Henderson, a foundation player with more than 100 Super Rugby caps, continues to emerge as one of Melbourne's leaders. And Stirzaker is regarded as a brilliant young talent.
The Waratahs' have named a 28-man squad that will be captained by halfback Brendan McKibbin.
Coach Michael Cheika will use prop Jeremy Tilse and flyhalf Bernard Foley as vice-captains.
NSW will field several recruits including Ollie Atkins, Cam Crawford, Israel Folau, Matt Lucas, Ben Volavola and former Rebel Luke Holmes.
Also included are 10 players from outside the contracted squad.
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