The ACT Brumbies haven't ruled out sending an SOS to former hooker Huia Edmonds, with a right shoulder injury to Stephen Moore creating a potential hooking crisis on the eve of the Super Rugby season.
Wallaby Moore will have scans today on an AC joint injury suffered in the Brumbies' 27-20 trial loss to defending champion Queensland in Cairns on Saturday. It was initially feared Moore could miss up to three months, but the Brumbies hope the 29-year-old will only be sidelined for between two and four weeks.
While he would still miss the start of the season, such a diagnosis would be a huge relief for the Brumbies.
Hooker Siliva Siliva is still being eased into training after knee surgery, meaning the inexperienced Anthony Hegarty is the only fit No.2 in the squad.
Front-rower Ben Alexander also left the field early with a hyperextended elbow, but is a chance of being fit for the round one home clash against Western Force on February24.
Edmonds initially received an offer for a position outside the Brumbies full-time squad, which was withdrawn in June at the request of new coach Jake White.
The Brumbies are yet to approach Edmonds and may elect not to do so, but the 30-year-old shapes as a good fit if Moore's scan results are worse than expected.
He spent four seasons at the club, and his familiarity with the team's roster and systems would be ideal so close to Super Rugby kick-off.
The Canberra Times has learned Edmonds has signed a three-year deal with an English club, and is required at training by June.
White indicated yesterday if Moore was unavailable for the start of the season, he would contact the ARU about drafting in another hooker from the national academy.
''I have to phone the ARU and see what I do next - if he's not available what do I do next?'' he said.
''If we are going to prepare for [round one] I want to be able to get in some guy who knows what we're going to do.''
Brumbies chief executive Andrew Fagan said Edmonds ticked the boxes as a ''plan B'' option, but said the decision would be left to White on whether they would enquire about his availability.
''I'm sure if any of the specialists were out for a period of time I'm sure Jake will bring someone in as back-up, but it's his call,'' Fagan said.
''It [Edmonds] is not a bad option and I'm sure it's one Jake's thought about, if indeed he thinks the injuries are anything past the start of the season.''
Ironically, Alexander was injured after copping an accidental knock from Moore in an early ruck against the Reds.
Like fellow Wallaby Moore, Alexander has his fingers crossed that scan results today will give him a chance to return for round one.
''Hopefully I should be right for the first game but will have to get back home and see how it responds,'' Alexander said yesterday.
''It's always pretty painful when you hyperextend something, but it's not feeling that bad.''
Alexander insisted Hegarty, who made eight appearances for the Brumbies last year, was capable of lifting his game in Moore's absence.
''He's been awesome in both our trials, really physical and is scrummaging well,'' he said. with AAP
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