The Wallabies could head into the Bledisloe Cup opener next week without four of their biggest stars, with prop Taniela Tupou under an injury cloud for the first clash with New Zealand in Melbourne.
The Wallabies were left counting the cost of defeat against a brutal Springboks side in Sydney on Saturday night, in which Noah Lolesio and Hunter Paisami both left the field with head knocks. The Wallabies are hopeful both will be available for the Thursday night Bledisloe Cup opener at Marvel Stadium, but James O’Connor may earn a recall to the squad this week as cover.
Whether Tupou plays against the All Blacks will depend on scans on a calf on Monday, after the giant prop tweaked his calf while warming up during the first half. Tupou was set to come off the bench in Saturday’s Test but took no part in the game.
It is not the same calf Tupou injured earlier in the year, which ruled him out for 10 weeks from the start of May to early July.
But if Tupou is unable to take part in the match at Marvel Stadium, it will be another major blow for the Wallabies, who have been smashed by injuries this year.
Captain Michael Hooper, Samu Kerevi, Quade Cooper and Tupou are arguably the team’s four best players last year but the Wallabies could have to take on the All Blacks with the quartet all missing.
Hooper is on an indefinite break from the game after revealing he was not in the right “mindset” for Test rugby, while Cooper (Achilles), Kerevi (knee) and Tupou are on the list of stars with injuries to manage. Cooper and Kerevi won’t play again this year.
Wallabies coaches will gather on Wednesday to discuss their Bledisloe Cup squad that will be announced on Thursday. Unless Tupou’s injury is a long-term one, he will be named to travel to Melbourne.
Taniela Tupou arrives for Australia’s second clash with South Africa but took no part in the match. Credit:Getty
The Wallabies say that Lolesio and Paisami are “possible” starters for the team’s next match against a New Zealand side that roared back to form with a 53-3 thrashing of Argentina on Saturday.
Paisami suffered a category one concussion against the Springboks, meaning he will face a 12-day stand-down period from playing. Even though Lolesio’s head knock wasn’t deemed as serious – he later failed a HIA and came from the field early in the second half – it is likely he will spend a 12-day period off playing.
However, that won’t prevent the pair from training, if they pass tests in the lead up to the first Test, which happens to fall 12 days after Saturday’s loss.
“[In terms of the] amount of days, it’s not an issue,” Wallabies coach Dave Rennie said after the match. “We’ll still go through the protocols. Hunter was ruled out immediately. His was a category one. Noah failed his HIA. He certainly had headaches even after the game.”
Noah Lolesio came off early in the second half of Australia’s 24-8 loss to the Springboks at Allianz Stadium.Credit:AP
The Wallabies are hopeful both will be eligible for selection but coaches are considering whether to bring back O’Connor into the fold. The 32-year-old was dropped from the squad after a below-par performance at no.10 in San Juan and is plying his trade in Brisbane club rugby at the moment.
Minimal changes are expected to be made for the Bledisloe Cup squad, with Bernard Foley set to remain around the group.
The big question, if O’Connor does return as cover, is whether he or Foley are ahead in the pecking order should Lolesio not be given the green light.
Foley hasn’t played for the Wallabies since the 2019 World Cup but has no shortage of experience against the Kiwis.
Bernard Foley (left) and Folau Fainga’a (right) in Wallabies camp.Credit:Getty
It would be some story if Foley was thrown back in a gold jersey for an enormous Bledisloe Test on home soil. Reece Hodge could also be called upon to play no.10.
In brighter news, the Wallabies have also allayed fears about Marika Koroibete’s fitness. The winger was seen limping in the second half at Allianz Stadium but just picked up a bad cork and is expected to be right in time for the All Blacks.
The team will reconvene in Queensland on Friday to begin preparations.
Australia need to beat New Zealand in Melbourne to have any chance of winning the Bledisloe Cup back when they play the All Blacks again on September 24 at Eden Park. Unlike previous years when three trans-Tasman matches took place, Bledisloe Cup series from now on will be played over two Tests.
Despite the woeful performance in Sydney on Saturday night, the Wallabies are confident they can pick themselves up off the canvas.
“There’s no shortage of motivation in this group and belief,” Rennie said.
Fullback Reece Hodge said he wasn’t surprised by the All Blacks’ thumping victory.
“New Zealand obviously had a big win over Argentina, so they’re going to be very confident and it’s going to be a big challenge but one that hopefully we’re up for in Melbourne,” Hodge said. “We’ll look at New Zealand over the coming couple of weeks.
“The beauty of the Rugby Championship this year is anyone can beat anyone on their day. We’re going to have to go in with some serious belief that we can beat the All Blacks in Melbourne and get the Bledisloe campaign off to a good start.”
