‘Our depth will be tested’: Star set to miss season as Wallabies hit with injury drama
By Iain Payten
Star fullback Tom Wright is set to miss the remainder of the year with a serious knee injury after an attritional tour of South Africa left the Wallabies with a growing casualty ward that will test the squad’s “strength and depth” for the rest of the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies departed South Africa on Sunday evening (AEST) after a tour of mixed fortunes, which saw the team win at Ellis Park for the first time in 62 years but then narrowly lose in Cape Town.
The second Test defeat was another spirited performance from the Wallabies but it came at a high price, with several star players in doubt for two tough upcoming Tests against Argentina after coming off injured at DHL Stadium.
Nic White and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii both suffered concussions, but the most serious was Wright, who came off early in the first half with a knee injury. The worst news was confirmed after scans showed Wright had suffered a ruptured ACL, and would visit specialists in Australia later this week.
It is likely Wright will require surgery and miss the rest of the year, at least.
After losing four starters in the first Test – Ben Donaldson, Harry Wilson, Dylan Pietsch and James Slipper – the Wallabies lost another three in their 30-22 defeat – Wright, White and Suaalii.
Tom Wright sitting on the sideline after coming off injured.Credit: Getty Images
Along with Piestch (broken jaw) and Donaldson (abductor), White and Suaalii could struggle to line upagainst the Pumas in Townsville on September 6. The Pumas made history by beating the All Blacks at home for the first time on Sunday morning.
Having failed HIAs, White and Suaalii have a mandatory 12-day stand-down under World Rugby’s return-to-play protocols. That is enough to allow the pair to play in Townsville, but Schmidt prefers players to train fully through a whole week, which could affect their chances.
There is a path for some players to return after seven days but only after passing early testing and getting medical approval. Players don’t qualify if they have a concussion history, which includes being concussed in the last three months, three times in the last 12 months, or five times in a career.
Suaalii has had several concussions in league and rugby, but on available information doesn’t appear to tick those boxes. His last concussion was in May.
“After today and even losing three guys last week, the attritional nature of the tour is going to make it a little bit more difficult coming up against Argentina,” Schmidt said post-game.
“Because I do have massive respect for not just their team, but their coaching staff as well. [Coach] Felipe Contepomi I know well and have a lot of time for. That’s something once we land back in Australia we’ll work out.
Nic White suffered a concussion after being flung to the ground in this tackle.Credit: Getty Images
“But our strength and depth is going to be tested. So the guys who are experienced, they’re going to have to get around the new guys who come in and we’re going to have to calibrate those guys as quickly as possible, assimilate them into the group and try to kick on against Argentina in two weeks’ time.”
It is expected Wilson will be available for Townsville after suffering a minor knee injury at Ellis Park, so too Slipper (concussion) Tom Lynagh (concussion) and Jake Gordon (hamstring). Having suffered an abductor injury, Donaldson’s availability is unknown.
Informed sources say the Wallabies are keen to keep James O’Connor in the squad, despite him being due to join Leicester Tigers this month. Discussions are also ongoing with Will Skelton and his French club, La Rochelle.
Tom Hooper, Langi Gleeson and Taniela Tupou are also playing overseas next year, and while still under contract, may have been let go early last year. But all three are key contributors, and given Hooper’s form and Rob Valetini’s strong return, Schmidt may face a tough call about whether he recalls Wilson.
Schmidt was talking a few hours before the Pumas defeated the All Blacks 29-23 in Buenos Aires, their first win over New Zealand in Argentina in 40 years of trying. Argentina had the rare distinction of having twice beaten the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in the last three years.
All four sides in the Rugby Championship have a win after the opening two games.
The Wallabies’ showdown will be important for world rankings points.
Australia are currently sixth and Argentina seventh, and with 2027 World Cup seedings based on rankings at the end of the year, sides want to finish in the top six to boost their chances at the tournament.
Rankings are essentially calculated by points exchange, and just as the Wallabies picked up big points by beating the then-world No.1 Boks, the Pumas narrowed the gap to Australia from 3.48 points to 1.45 with their win over the new No.1, New Zealand.
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