The Wallabies might be forced to take on Six Nations champions Ireland without a capped hooker, with Jordan Uelese injured in the Melbourne Rebels’ Super Rugby win over the Blues.
Stephen Moore’s retirement and Australian coach Michael Cheika’s decision to rest Tatafu Polota-Nau meant Uelese, with just 30 Test minutes to his name, was the most-experienced hooker.
The other selections, Reds rake Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Folau Fainga’a from the Brumbies are yet to debut for the Wallabies.
Uelese came off the bench in the second half of the Rebels’ 20-10 win in Auckland and suffered the injury while tackling Blues flanker Jerome Kaino in the 69th minute.
The 21-year-old immediately clutched at his knee and lay prone until he was assisted from the field by trainers.
The injury could mean his Rebels teammate Anaru Rangi gets a call-up.
Ireland also lost their first-choice hooker with skipper Rory Best ruled out this week with a hamstring injury, with Munster No.2 Niall Scannell his replacement.
The first Test is next Saturday in Brisbane.
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