Wallabies counting the costs
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The Wallabies have paid dearly for their last-gasp 24-23 win over South Africa with vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper and No.8 Wycliff Palu set to miss the clash with Argentina.
Ashley-Cooper has been ruled out for one week with an ongoing nerve compression injury to his neck, which was exacerbated against the Springboks at the weekend.
The loss of Ashley-Cooper means that the Australians are steadily running out of options on the wing, especially with the departure of Nick Cummins to Japan and Pat McCabe's career ending neck injury.
Joe Tomane may yet be the man to replace Ashley-Cooper on the wing as freshly-eligible Henry Speight is not available because of a niggling hamstring injury.
Palu suffered a head knock on the weekend and will now follow concussion protocols ahead of his return to play.
“It’s disappointing to lose two experienced members of our squad ahead of what is an extremely important game against Argentina,” Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said.
“However, this year we’ve taken a proactive approach to making early decisions around guys carrying injuries, which is the case here.
"As is always the case with sport, the next guy in line now gets a chance to step-up and take advantage of the opportunity they’ll be given.”
Queensland Reds No.8 Jake Schatz will come into Wallabies camp as an additional training squad member, joining scrumhalf Will Genia, hooker Saia Faingaa and prop Benn Robinson.
The veteran Waratahs prop Robinson was called in to train with the Australians this week in preparation for their biggest scrum challenge of the year.
The 66-Test prop is not an official part of Australia’s squad but a training member nonetheless at the team’s Gold Coast base before Saturday’s Test against Argentina.
Australia are third in the four-nation championship standings after three rounds, four points ahead of Argentina, who remain winless.
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