Gregan will go on Australian tour
 |  Gregan captained Australia in their 2003 World Cup final defeat |
| |
SYDNEY, Australia -- George Gregan gave Australian rugby a boost when he confirmed his availability for next month's Wallaby tour to Europe.
Gregan had been in doubt since his four-year-old son, Max, was diagnosed with epilepsy.
The Wallaby skipper had missed a recent training camp, saying his family was his first priority.
"It's a difficult time for the family and one of the most difficult decisions I've had to make, but they'll be OK," he said.
"If the situation gets worse I will come back."
Chris Whitaker, Gregan's regular backup at scrum-half, withdrew from the tour with an injured groin, exposing a potential lack of depth in Australia's halfback options.
Matt Henjak, Gregan's understudy at the Super 12 champion ACT Brumbies, was drafted in as Whitaker's replacement. Henjak has one test cap.
The 31-year-old Gregan is Australia's most-experienced international with 102 test appearances. Earlier this month, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Australian Rugby Union that will take him up to the 2007 World Cup in France.
He was a member of Australia's World Cup winning team in 1999 and led Australia in the World Cup final loss to England in 2003.
Wallaby flanker Phil Waugh said Gregan's commitment to the tour would give the 28-man squad a lift.
"His leadership ... not just on the field, is hugely important to the side," Waugh said. "The experience that he's got, no one can really replace that."
Australia opens the tour against Scotland on November 6.
