Flatley flies out to join injury-hit Wallabies

Utility back Elton Flatley will fly to South Africa tomorrow to join the Australian rugby squad after the loss of fullback Mat Rogers.

Rogers will return to Australia for knee surgery and will miss Saturday's Nelson Mandela Challenge test in Johannesburg and could be out of the Tri-nations series. Chris Latham returns to the starting 15 for Rogers.

Flatley has been out of the test squad after a series of head injuries and a calf strain.

Australia play South Africa in the opening Tri-nations match on July 30 in Pretoria. Australia's last game in the tournament is against the Springboks in Perth on August 20.

- REUTERS