Sefa Naivalu in doubt for All Blacks clash

Wallabies wing Sefa Naivalu is in doubt for the Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand in August.

Naivalu suffered an ankle injury in the 40-29 win against Italy and will be out for at least 6 weeks.

Naivalu scored two tries and looked to have staked a powerful claim to cement one wing spot.

His right leg was tangled awkwardly in a ball contest with Italian centre Tommaso Boni in the 48-minute. 

Subsequently, he will be out of the Melbourne Rebels closing Super Rugby games against the Western Force (July 7) and Jaguares (July 14). 

“It’s a mid-grade ankle so six-to-seven weeks,” Cheika said.

Cheika also said that Samu Kerevi (ankle), Kurtley Beale (hamstring), Nick Phipps (ankle) and Sean McMahon (wrist) would all be in consideration for the opening Bledisloe Cup clash after being sidelined from consideration through June.