Injured Palu likely to miss Australia's early games

Wycliff Palu © Gallo Images

Australia number eight Wycliff Palu is likely to miss the start of the Wallabies 2009 international season after breaking his hand.

Palu fractured his hand playing for New South Wales in the final rounds of the Super 14 and is now facing a month on the sidelines, local media reported on Wednesday.

That would rule him out of Australia's early season internationals against the Barbarians, Italy and France, with Wallaby selectors due to announce their 30-man squad on Thursday.

Australia's first match is against the invitational Barbarians in Sydney on June 6, followed by tests against Italy in Canberra (June 13) and Melbourne (June 20) then France in Sydney (June 27).

Australia open their Tri-Nations campaign against New Zealand on July 18.

Read more on the June Internationals page.