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3N citing decisions deferred

Monday 25th August 2008

CJ van der Linde: A nervous wait

Rocky Elsom and CJ van der Linde both face an overnight wait to see if they can continue in this year's Tri-Nations after the judicial panel concerned with the hearings opted to defer its decision until Tuesday.

Van der Linde's wait will be most anxious, as he is in the dock for an alleged headbutt, while Elsom faces little more than a likely rap on the knuckles after being cited for pulling down Victor Matfield at a line-out.

Two wallabies certain to return home are lock Dan Vickerman and centre Berrick Barnes, who both sustained tour-ending shoulder injuries.

Nathan Sharpe has flown out to replace Vickerman, and Hugh McMeniman is recovering from the illness that kept him out of Saturday's game at the last minute. No replacement has been called for Barnes.

Should Australia manage to win in Johannesburg this Saturday, it will be the first time they have taken back-to-back Tests in South Africa in 46 years.