Wallabies back rower Radike Samo will again be put to the test against Russia on Saturday as he is in line to play on the right wing.

As the Wallabies are short of midfielders with Rob Horne, Pat McCabe and Kurtley Beale unavailable and Anthony Faingaa in serious doubt, the selectors may be forced to field forwards in the back line to cover spots until injuries are overcome.

After a three day break, the Wallabies returned to the training paddock yesterday, with Samo spending considerable time on the right wing during the drills.

This would come as a surprise to those who know him only as a large, bustling back rower, but Samo has good understanding of what is required on the wing, having played there in his early days.

Samo was also on the wing in the final minutes of the Wallabies 67-5 victory over the US in Wellington last Friday night.

The Wallabies are also likely to play three specialist second rowers in the pack, with captain James Horwill a possibility of moving to blindside flanker.

Nick Phipps, the No. 3 halfback, ran with the team for the whole session, and has a good chance of starting a test for the first time since the loss to Samoa in Sydney in July.

The Wallabies and Russia match starts at 2.30pm this Saturday.


Story by: Dhanjay Deo