Price-less Aussies rocked

Australia have been rocked by news that veteran prop Steve Price will miss Saturday's World Cup final.

Veteran prop ruled out of World Cup final

Australia have been rocked by news that veteran prop Steve Price will miss Saturday's World Cup final showdown with New Zealand. The 33-year-old had been named in the initial squad for the clash, however he pulled up suddenly during a routine drill in the team's final training session on Friday. Examinations have shown Price has torn his left calf muscle - and after consultation with the medical staff, it has been decided to pull the New Zealand Warriors front-rower out of the side. A replacement is not expected to be named until immediately before the match, however Manly prop Brent Kite is likely to be promoted from the bench, with Sea Eagles' team-mate Josh Perry added to the replacements. However, while Price will sit out the match alongside Brent Tate - who has also withdrawn from the team with an injury - loose forward Paul Gallen has been declared fit. Gallen had been struggling with a dead leg, however he came through training on Friday unscathed. Australia: B Slater (Melbourne); J Monaghan (Canberra), G Inglis (Melbourne), I Folau (Melbourne), D Williams (Manly); D Lockyer (Brisbane, capt), J Thurston (North Queensland); P Civoniceva (Penrith), C Smith (Melbourne), TBC, G Stewart (Manly), A Laffranchi (Gold Coast), P Gallen (Cronulla).
Subs: K Hunt (Brisbane), C Fitzgibbon (Sydney Roosters), A Tupou (Sydney Roosters), B Kite (Manly).