O'Connor to miss June Tests?

Another one of Australia’s star playmakers is in a race against time to be fit for the Wallabies’ mid-year internationals in June.

The Australian media report that utility back James O’Connor is in “grave danger” of missing the country’s Tests in June – as he recovers from a lacerated liver.

The Melbourne Rebel back will remain in a Sydney hospital for the next few days and be sidelined for up to six weeks, after suffering the injury after a mid-air collision with fellow Wallaby Berrick Barnes in the 21-30 loss in Sydney at the weekend.

The 21-year-old took a heavy blow from Barnes’s knee as they contested a kick.

It was initially suspected he had rib damage, but scans revealed bleeding in his liver.

That means he’s unlikely to play until Week 15 of the Super Rugby competition, when the Rebels clash with the Brumbies at home – on June 1.

The Wallabies open their June Test campaign just four days later against Scotland in Newcastle, followed by a clash with Six Nations champions Wales in Brisbane on June 9.

O’Connor, who only had his first meal on Monday, is awaiting the all-clear from his hepatobiliary specialist to fly back to Melbourne.

Wallabies doctor Warren MacDonald has been in contact with the Melbourne medical team and confirmed O’Connor won’t resume contact training for six weeks – placing him in extreme doubt for at least the start of the Test series.

O’Connor’s loss would be a major blow to the Wallabies backline, given he was likely to start at No.10 in the absence of the injured Quade Cooper.

MacDonald also confirmed Queensland centre Ben Tapuai requires an operation on his broken collarbone and will be sidelined for three months.

Source: AAP