Australian props likely to miss Super 14

Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu are expected to miss much of next year's Super 14 competition after being injured in Australia's match against the Barbarians.

Matt Dunning is treated by physios after he ruptured his Achilles' tendon in Australia's 18-11 victory over the Barbarians at Wembley.

MELBOURNE // The Australian props Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu are expected to miss much of next year's Super 14 competition after being injured in the Wallabies' match against the Barbarians. Dunning ruptured his Achilles' tendon, while Kepu tore a pectoral muscle after the unstable playing surface forced the scrum to collapse in Australia's 18-11 victory over the invitational side at Wembley Stadium.

"I felt my Achilles snap straight away, it felt like a gun shot, I've heard people explain it before and it felt exactly like that," Dunning said at Sydney airport. "There's no doubt it's going to be a long road back, I will speak to my specialist today and look to get operated on early in the week. "I'm positive I'll be back, they say six to nine months for these things but I'm a fast healer, so maybe four to six."

While Dunning is not expected to return before the end of the annual southern hemisphere club championship, Kepu was more hopeful of returning for the New South Wales Waratahs in the later stages. The loose-head prop was injured when Dunning slipped on the surface and collapsed the scrum. "My arm has gone backwards and my shoulder had dropped forward and I heard the tear," Kepu said. "I'm seeing the surgeon on Monday. It's likely there will be surgery and that's probably about three or four months."

*Reuters