Rebels head coach Damien Hill (centre) talks with injured Cooper Vuna during the Super Rugby trial match against the Waratahs in Hobart, Australia. Picture: Scott Barbour Source: Getty Images
MELBOURNE Rebels continues to sweat on the fitness of Cooper Vuna after MRI scans on the star winger's right shoulder yesterday were inconclusive.
There are fears Vuna has a fractured shoulder blade, but the extent of his injury will not be known until he has a CT scan today.
Vuna was injured 15 minutes into Melbourne's 24-16 trial loss to NSW Waratahs at North Hobart Oval on Saturday.
Melbourne's leading try-scorer for the past two seasons, Vuna had an operation on his left shoulder last year. Vuna's injury aside, coach Damien Hill pinpointed several positives, despite the eight-point loss.
"A lot of the younger players performed really well, like Tom English," Hill said.
"Lachie Mitchell had a strong game. Gus Roberts and Bryce Hegarty in their first games, whilst they made a few errors, they showed a lot of composure as well.
"Scotty Fuglistaller had a strong game at No.7. Jarrod Saffy had an impact when he came on. Cadeyrn Neville and Luke Jones had strong games.
"Collectively, I thought the forwards had a very strong performance. They laid a very strong platform to build on."
But the Rebels butchered several opportunities, particularly in the second half when they dominated. The Rebels' under-rated forwards again led the way, but their strong work was undone by handling errors.
"Our set piece, in particular, was pleasing," Hill said.
"In the first and second phase, execution and decision making was good. But it showed we've got a long way to go in terms of our sustained attack and sustained defence.
"At this level, if you're going to maintain the ball, you have to be accurate and efficient all of the time - not most of the time.
"And when you're not, and you do make an error, you relieve the pressure immediately and you give teams like the Waratahs opportunities in attack and defence."
Melbourne is likely to regain Kurtley Beale and Richard Kingi for the trial against the Hurricanes. Hill also hoped powerful backrower Scott Higginbotham would return.
"At this stage, Kurtley's on track and we hope to have him available," Hill said.
"We'll make a decision on Scotty later in the week. Richard Kingi, as well, will come into contention. Jason Woodward and Kimami (Sitauti) will still stay out of it."
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