Warren Gatland will be without Jamie Roberts, Jonathan Davies and Cory Allen when the Australians come to Cardiff, while Scott Williams is currently recovering from a toe ligament injury he picked up in the record-breaking win over Argentina.
But the Wallabies won’t be able to call on two front-line centres themselves after Matt Toomua joined Tevita Kuridrani in being ruled out of the Millennium Stadium match up.
While Kuridrani was forced out after being banned for five weeks for a dangerous tackle on Peter O’Mahony in the 32-15 win over Ireland at the weekend, Toomua has fallen foul of a training ground injury. The 23-year-old is flying back home after suffering a hamstring strain in Edinburgh on Tuesday.
Toomua finished the session ahead of Saturday’s Test against Scotland but scans have since highlighted a partial tear that has led to his immediate withdrawal from the touring squad three games into the five-match European adventure.
His absence is a big blow for Wallaby boss Ewen McKenzie given his fine form throughout 2013. Having guided the Brumbies to the Super XV Final from fly-half, Toomua made his Test bow in the Rugby Championship and is currently first choice at No12 ahead of clubmate Christian Leali’ifano.
“Matt has had a fantastic season and has done a terrific job for the Wallabies in a new position,” said McKenzie, who had arrived in Scotland in high spirits after a 50-point mauling of Italy and a four tries to nil victory over Ireland.
“It’s extremely disappointing to lose him at this point and not have him available for our final two games.
“However, he’s shown all the positive attributes we want in our players and we are looking forward to seeing him use his international experience to continue his development during the Super Rugby competition next year.”
McKenzie had initially been expected to pair Toomua and Leali’ifano together at Murrayfield and then again at the Millennium Stadium but he could now look at moving Adam Ashley-Cooper in from wing to take his place alongside Leali’ifano in the tour finale.
That partnership won’t appear against Scotland as a result of the latter’s internal one-game suspension for inappropriate alcohol consumption in the lead up to the Ireland win, but the duo have experience together having started all three Tests in midfield against the British & Irish Lions in the summer.
Waratahs wing Peter Bentham has been called up as a replacement for Toomua and he could yet be involved in both remaining games of the year.
Did you know?
Toomua made his first appearance in Wallaby colours here in Wales in 2009. He was part of the non-cap midweek outfit that faced Cardiff Blues at the Cardiff City Stadium but his debut lasted just a couple of minutes after he broke his jaw in an early tackle.
