Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is unlikely to have returning flank Rocky Elsom available for the early part of the Tri-Nations because of bone bruising in his knee.

Deans will name his Tri Nations squad on Thursday and although Elsom is expected to be among the 30-man list, there is uncertainty when he will be available.

There are concerns that Elsom, who returned to the Wallabies following a year playing in Ireland, may not play again for several more months.

He looks set to miss both the All Blacks Test in Auckland on July 18 and the Springboks in Cape Town on August 8. He is expected to return for the Sydney Test against New Zealand on August 22.

"Rocky is not progressing the way he would like, nor we would like," Deans told Rugbyheaven.

"It's a time thing. It's a matter of when. It's proving more frustrating than all parties would like.

"We have two games in about a month and a half. So I would like to think he would be good to go by the end of that."

Following the Wallabies' gritty 22-6 win over France at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, Deans is confident that over the past month the team has shown the attributes to be a threat in the Tri Nations.

But the Wallabies will have to start believing that they can win overseas, especially in New Zealand, where they haven't been victorious since 2001.

"We go into the deep end, which will be a good focal point for us," Deans said.

"We came up well short there last year and I would envisage that the All Blacks will present themselves in exactly the same way.

"The key thing is to present yourself well and we didn't do that last year."

365

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