The ACT Brumbies have thrown their confidence behind third-string hooker Anthony Hegarty to start the Super Rugby season as the injury crisis at the club worsened yesterday.
Loose forward Colby Faingaa is wearing a rehabilitation boot for an ankle injury and is awaiting the result of scans to determine if he requires surgery.
It is another concern for the Brumbies, just 10 days out from their season kick-off against the Western Force at Canberra Stadium.
The biggest dilemma for the Brumbies is at hooker, with Australian Wallabies rake Stephen Moore to receive specialist advice about his shoulder injury today.
Moore, inexplicably on a media ban this pre-season, has indicated the injury could potentially rule him out for between two to 12 weeks.
Moore's setback is compounded by a knee injury to back-up hooker Saliva Saliva, who has not yet been cleared to commence full contact work at training.
The Brumbies' injuries are not confined to the pack. Wallabies centre Pat McCabe (shoulder) is expected to miss the opening rounds of the Super Rugby competition, while there is also doubt over utility back Robbie Coleman (sternum).
Even latest recruit, No8 Fotu Auelua, has arrived in Canberra with a niggling knee injury. Auelua had scans yesterday and has returned to running, but his late arrival means he is unlikely to be considered for selection until he can prove his fitness.
The only comforting news for the Brumbies yesterday was that Wallabies prop Ben Alexander is expected to shake off the elbow injury he suffered in Saturday's trial loss to the Queensland Reds and take his place at Canberra Stadium on February 24.
The Brumbies went into emergency mode yesterday to find a short-term hooker replacement for Moore and Saliva Saliva.
The Brumbies were tight-lipped about the candidates, but The Canberra Times understands that Sydney University hooker Sam Roberson will begin training with the club from today.
The 21-year-old, a 2008 Australian Schoolboys representative, is a product of the NSW Waratahs Academy and was part of Sydney Uni's Shute Shield team that lost the grand final last year.
It appears the Brumbies have overlooked former hooker Huia Edmonds, who remains in Canberra and is training on his own before taking up a three-year contract to play with the English club Gloucester in June.
However, Brumbies forwards coach Laurie Fisher said the club had faith in Hegarty to do the job in Moore's absence.
The 24-year-old answered a similar SOS from the Brumbies last year, making his Super Rugby debut and playing eight matches because of injuries to Moore and Edmonds.
The former Marist College student is part of the Brumbies' Extended Playing Squad for 2012, but played the bulk of Saturday's trial against the Reds.
''It's a great opportunity for him, it's not one that we expected but certainly it's a good opportunity and he'll acquit himself when he plays, without doubt,'' Fisher said.
''He's an excellent footballer.
''He's a tough tackler, he's hard at the ball, a very good scrummager, his set piece is sound and he's got a tremendous work ethic.
''So we've got absolute confidence that he won't only hold his own, he'll be very good.''
Hegarty, a former carpenter, said he would welcome any chance to establish himself as a Super Rugby regular.
''Because we've got such a young group, everyone just oozes enthusiasm and wants to go out and prove themselves,'' Hegarty said.
''There's a number of players who haven't played any Super Rugby at all, but everybody's there to prove themselves and what better way to do that than against the best.
''You can't be nervous at this level and you can't feel you're not up to the right standard, because you're just going to get smashed.
''You have to go out there confident and know you can play at that level.
''I've been sitting behind Moore and Huia for a number of years now, so to get the opportunity to come out and start would be fantastic.''
THURSDAY
Trial match: ACT Brumbies v ACT XV at Greenway Enclosed Oval, 7pm.
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