Rugby: Recovered Wallaby to have chance at Eden Park

Luke Burgess. Photo / Getty Images

Halfback Luke Burgess has been cleared to return to action for the Wallabies and may come off the bench against the All Blacks on Saturday night.

Burgess broke his hand before the Waratahs' Super 15 play-off against the Blues in Auckland five weeks ago, but finally looks set to get his chance to play at Eden Park.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans yesterday confirmed the 27-year-old was fully recovered and back in the selection mix for the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup encounter as back-up to the influential Will Genia.

Deans will name his 24-man travel party today and his team on Thursday after their first training session in Auckland.

Burgess, capped 32 times, is expected to replace rookie Nick Phipps in the only change to the 22-man squad which beat a second-string South Africa 39-20 nine days ago.

Deans admitted discarded veteran back Matt Giteau had the experience to also cover at No9 but wasn't being considered as a halfback option against New Zealand, who thrashed the Springboks 40-7 at the weekend.

Giteau trained briefly at halfback but has mostly been at five-eighths.

Fullback Kurtley Beale declared himself fit and ready to go after overcoming an ankle injury received against the Springboks.

Beale returned to training on Friday and reported he had pulled up well at the weekend.

"I think all the time we've given it has helped me out," he said. "It feels really good.

Brumbies prop Salesi Ma'afu, who has had a broken arm, won't come to Auckland but Deans said he was close to being available for the August 13 clash with South Africa.

Front-rower Benn Robinson remains upbeat about his slim chances of overcoming a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in time for the World Cup.

- AAP