Ben McCalman suffered a season-ending injury on Saturday against England and will miss the third Test match of the series. The Wallabies and Western Force number 8 will also miss the remaining Super Rugby games with an initial prediction of six weeks on the sidelines.
The 28-year-old fractured his right scapular during his 30-minute stint against England in Melbourne, he replaced Sean McMahon in the 50th minute and played through to full time.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika called Queensland Reds number 8 Leroy Houston into the squad as cover, he joins Wycliff Palu, Sean McMahon and Liam Gill in the battle to secure a spot in the matchday 23.
The loss of McCalman is just another blow for the Wallabies in this forgettable Cook Cup series, with first choice number 8 David Pocock being ruled out after the first Test.
“I’ll probably make a couple of changes, I would have always thought I might make a couple each game to have a look at guys who are vying for spots,” Cheika said.
Australia are desperately trying to avoid a series whitewash, with the final Test to be played in front of a sold out crowd at Moore Park on Saturday.
McCalman should recover in time for the opening round of the Rugby Championship in August, where the Wallabies will host the first Bledisloe at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Looking ahead to the remaining Super Rugby fixtures, the Western Force have a tough run home and will certainly miss having their stalwart in their forward pack.
The Force will face the Cheetahs in South Africa before travelling back to Perth to host the Stormers. Their final game is against the Brumbies in Canberra on the 16th of July.
cs
Roar Guru
We can agree to disagree about that. Potty was certainly a goer, but his stature within the pack is betrayed by the fact that only played in the first half. Regardless, the main point stands.
Markus
Guest
Kane has never been a dominant forward for the Wallabies. His test performances so far have ranged from workmanlike at best to “never to be seen in Wallabies colours again” at worst (see 2013 Lions series). He is not a strong ball runner or a good lineout jumper so if/when he returns we should not be expecting anything more than workmanlike from him again. The biggest loss for the Tahs since the super final of 2014 is without doubt Jacques Potgieter.
Markus
Guest
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cs
Roar Guru
Bad luck. Wonder when it happened? I was a mite disappointed by Ben's contribution, and maybe this explains it. This also goes to the crux of the Wallabies' weakness, in my view. Everyone, including me, loves to argue about the backs, but the truth is that the Wallaby backs are pretty good, and no two fans are hardly ever likely to agree on any combination. What the Wallabies desperately need is a dominant forward. Kane Douglas is the biggest loss for the Tahs since the super final of 2014, and he was arguably the biggest loss for the Wallabies in the RWC final. Before Kane, we had Dan Vickerman. Everyone will be able to name a dominant forward in the great teams of the past. Like the backs, the Hooper-Pocock debate is also a distraction. The truth is that what small advantage Pocock might lose in his ability to ply his craft from no. 8 is more than made up for in Hooper having the advantage to ply his from no. 7, with a net gain. The dominant forward can be anywhere from nos 8-1. Cheika's interest in Horwill stems from this need, but he falls a little short. Likewise with Arnold at this stage. Simmons was probably seen as weaker than Carter. Ben represented a hope that he could fill the role. We have a hole in the bucket, and we need a strongman to fill it. The closest at the moment is TPN, but we need the full Kane-style box and dice. Although in his twilight, Palu can still do the job, but he can also have an off-beat day at the office, so it's a risk. Skelton is not exactly Kane, but his size does make him genuinely imposing and he has top-shelf rugby smarts. I'd go with Cliffy to start at 8 and Big Will to finish.
Sandgroper
Guest
Rotten luck for Ben. He seems indestructible, and always puts in an honest performance. Get fit soon Ben we need you.
AlexG
Guest
This is a blow. He is no Toutai Kefu, but a side needs at least three good 8s available, and Australia is struggling to find any. McCalman puts in the effort and has heaps of experience. I would favour Houston now I've learned more about how hes gone in Europe. That's after Palu or Pocock, if fit.
Paul
Guest
I'd expect Palu to be included this weekend at No.8. And Skelton for Arnold also. If we are going to have a 40 min lock it might as well be one with some impact.