Izack Rodda injured in training, will miss World Cup

Eddie Jones informed media on Friday that Wallabies lock Izack Rodda has reaggravated a foot injury that has plagued the 26-year-old’s past 18 months.

The injury has already seen Rodda miss the 2022 international season as well as all but the final two games of 2023’s Super Rugby Pacific season.

Just as the giant lock’s season looked to be finally back on track, he suffered yet another setback, one that Jones says will see him miss not just the Rugby Championship but the Rugby World Cup as well.

“Yeah, that’s bad luck for him,” Jones said at an open Wallabies training session at Coogee Oval on Friday.

“He’s had those couple of foot injuries. He’s just reaggravated it. Unfortunately, he won’t participate in the World Cup.”

Three further players under the injury cloud are Andrew Kellaway, Taniela Tupou and Agus Bell. Jones reports all three are looking positive to contribute during the Rugby Championship.

Bell will likely miss the opening match against South Africa while rehabbing his toe injury and Kellaway sat out Friday’s training but is set to be good to go for the Wallabies’ season opener.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” Jones said on Tupou

“He’s progressing nicely. He’s done a lot more training this week than he did previously.

“We’ve got a plan for him and it’s going very well.”

Will Skelton and Richie Arnold are expected to return to Australia in the coming days and Samu Kerevi will likely be cleared for full training activities next week. Jones said Quade Cooper’s absence was due to the playmaker attending a wedding.

A 33-man Wallabies squad will be announced on Sunday.