The star utility back has been told to wait four weeks before returning to contact training, after suffering a lacerated liver playing for Melbourne Rebels in the Super Rugby competition against New South Wales just over a month ago.
The 21-year-old was hopeful of making the forthcoming Tests against Scotland and Wales but although a scan earlier today revealed that the laceration is healing well, he will not be able to return to full contact training for another month, at which point he will have another scan to determine when he is able to return to the field.
A disappointed O’Connor tweeted his bad news, saying: “Disappointing result-Liver healing very nicely jst going to run out of time…if only I had a couple more weeks up my sleeve,” he tweeted.
Australia takes on Scotland on June 5, before facing Wales in a three Test series finishing on June 23.
Kurtley Beale is the front runner to replace O’Connor in the crucial fly half position but incumbent Quade Cooper could also be a surprise inclusion in the squad after making his Queensland return on the weekend.
