Wallabies rocked by double injury blow ahead of second Springboks Test
SQUAD UPDATE: Australia have announced that two key players will return to Australia due to injury ahead of the second Springbok Test, with Dylan Pietsch and James Slipper ruled out of next week’s clash in Cape Town.
Pietsch suffered a broken jaw after coming up second best from a Siya Kolisi carry in the first half.
Meanwhile, Slipper reported concussion symptoms post-match and failed his HIA.
It comes as Ben Donaldson also returns to Australia with an abductor strain, which ruled him out of the opening match in Johannesburg.
Filipo Daugunu, Rhys van Nek and Hamish Stewart will head to South Africa as cover.
The injuries open the door for Aidan Ross and Corey Toole to make their Test debuts for the Wallabies potentially.
Ross joined the squad ahead of the third British & Irish Lions Test, with Tom Robertson also an option as the Force prop can cover both sides.
If so, Ross would join a small group of players to play for both the All Blacks and the Wallabies, recently becoming eligible.
Meanwhile, Toole is one of several options to replace Pietsch on the wing, along with Daugunu and Josh Flook, if coach Joe Schmidt chooses to elevate Andrew Kellaway to the starting wing.
In positive news, captain Harry Wilson will stay in South Africa and push his case to be fit after suffering a knee injury.
Wilson limped off the field after scoring his second try in the second half, heading for scans.
Wallabies officials confirmed Wilson was moving around unassisted post match.
“He’s a bit more comfortable now,” coach Joe Schmidt said post-game.
“I think he got a little bit of a wobble on it, but he’s feeling a little bit more comfortable now. We live and hope.”
Rob Valetini is also a big chance to return as he deals with a calf complaint that has kept him out for the past two matches.
