Nasiganiyavi in action for Australia during last year's IRB Junior World Championship © Getty Images

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Teams: Australia | New South Wales Waratahs

Waratahs winger Ratu Nasiganiyavi has been ruled out of action for "at least two months" with a serious foot injury.

After pulling up sore after training late last week, Nasiganiyavi went for scans which revealed a stress fracture near the ankle which will see the rookie join a growing list of Waratahs on the sidelines. The latest blow to the Australian side's preparations for the new Super 14 season comes just two weeks before their first pre-season trial.

"This kind of injury usually takes a long time to diagnose so it was good management by our medical staff to pick it up as early as they did," said head coach Chris Hickey. "It's unfortunate for Ratu because the trials would have been extremely important for him to try and push for a place in the 22 in his first Super 14 season."

Four members of the Waratahs squad are currently sidelined with serious injuries - Outside back Ben Batger is unlikely to play any part in the 2009 campaign following a shoulder reconstruction late last year, while props Matt Dunning and Sekope Kepu are both on the sidelines following injuries suffered while playing for the Wallabies against the Barbarians at Wembley in December.

"While you always want your best players to be available, it does provide the opportunity for someone else to step up and grab it with both hands," said Hickey. "We're continuing to look at our options of adding to the squad if the opportunity arises. If the right player comes along then we'll certainly be interested."

Nasiganiyavi shot to prominence during the 2008 Tooheys New Shute Shield as a standout tryscorer for Randwick, signing with the Waratahs in June alongside his cousin, Lote Tuqiri.

With the exception of the players sidelined with injury, the Waratahs returned to a full squad today with props Al Baxter and Benn Robinson joining the team for the first time in 2009.

"It's pleasing to assemble the full squad and begin our preparations for the trials and then the start of the Super 14 season," said Hickey. "Particularly considering the injuries to Matt and Sekope, getting two international props back in the squad is a big boost with the first trial just around the corner."

The Waratahs play their first pre-season match against the Queensland Reds in Toowoomba on Saturday, January 24 and begin their Super 14 campaign against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday, February 14.