GRAHAM Ellis, the Currie hooker, has ruptured a biceps muscle in his left arm and is out of the Scotland squad for the Test against Western Samoa at Murrayfield tomorrow.
Ellis, who played for Scotland A against the tourists last weekend, and was on the bench for tomorrow's international, was injured during a Scottish squad session at Murrayfield on Wednesday night. The replacement hooker is Steve Brotherstone, of Melrose.
The misfortune suffered by Ellis, who is receiving hospital treatment and may be out of the game for eight weeks, continues the tale of woe which has afflicted Scotland so far as candidates to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Kenny Milne is concerned.
Kevin McKenzie, of Stirling County, who was the heir apparent, did not come into the reckoning for tomorrow's game as he has still not recovered from the knee ligament damage sustained in a club game against Melrose.
Martin Scott, of Orrell, is also indisposed and the task of filling Milne's boots has gone to the Hawick hooker, Jim Hay, who was a member of the Scotland touring squad to Zimbabwe during the summer.
The Western Samoan wing-threequarter, Brian Lima, recovered from the hand injury which kept him out of the side which defeated Scotland A at Hawick on Sunday, represents the only change to that combination for the Test at Murrayfield.
Meanwhile, hooker Onehanga Matauiau will join the Western Samoan party on Sunday as the replacement for the injured Trevor Leota, who sustained concussion in the match against North and Midlands at Perth on Tuesday night.
The mandatory three-week rest imposed on players with concussive injuries left the Samoan management with no alternative but to send Leota back home.
Matauiau (22), who plays for the Moataa club in Apia and who captained the Western Samoa under 21 side last season, will not join the touring party until Sunday, the same day that Leota is expected to fly home.
Brendan Reidy, who was at loosehead against Edinburgh and North/Midlands, will cover the hooker position as he did for the Samoans in the World Cup in South Africa.
Western Samoa - V Patu; B Lima, T Vaega, G Leaupepe, A Tela; D Kellet, J Filemu; M Mika, T Leiasamaivo, P Fatialofa, L Falaniko, P Leavasa, S Kaleta, P Lam, S Vaifale. Replacements - M Vaea, C Burnes, S Leaega, S Smith, G Latu, B Reidy.
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