Tune rules himself out
June 14, 2002

Wallaby winger Ben Tune has ruled himself out of the opening rugby union Test against France at Colonial Stadium on Saturday week.

Tune suffered a knee injury in a Brisbane club match on May 26, and though he had been hopeful of recovering in time to battle the Six Nations champions, says his best chance of battling the French comes in the second Test on June 29.

"It's been coming along fairly well but the next big test will be to see how I run on it," Tune said. "Wallaby medical staff are still realistically talking Tri Nations for me but I'd like to think I can get back for that second Test against France.

"If I can run next week then hopefully I can do a full week of training the next week and give myself a chance of selection."

Tune has left the national squad in Coffs Harbour and gone home to Brisbane, but is set to rejoin his Australian teammates in Sydney after the first Test.

His absence gives Wendell Sailor and Stirling Mortlock the chance to impress when the Wallabies kick off their 2002 international campaign against New Zealand Maori in Perth on Saturday, but Tune says he won't get too carried away watching on TV.

"I tend to watch it like anyone else because I find it hard to work myself up if I haven't been there during the week training with the guys," he said. "It's sometimes frustrating but I'm over the disappointment and I'm just looking forward to getting back."

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