The Brumbies have been dealt a fresh injury blow with Argentine halfback Tomas Cubelli’s Super Rugby season in doubt after he ruptured a knee tendon.
Cubelli was taken from the ground after a tackle in the 37th minute of the Brumbies’ 53-17 trial loss to the NSW Waratahs in Mudgee on Saturday.
“It was not the ideal start. To the operating room! Patellar tendon rupture. Things that happen in the sport,” Cubelli said in a translated Instagram post on Monday.
The same injury kept Kurtley Beale out of action for seven months and a similar lay-off would end Cubelli’s hopes of playing Super Rugby this year.
It comes one week after winger Lausii Taliauli was ruled out for the season with a knee injury he suffered in the Brumbies’ first trial match.
Cubelli is set to have surgery in Sydney on Tuesday before starting rehabilitation, the club confirmed in a statement.
With Cubelli facing an extended period on the sidelines, youngster Joe Powell could get the chance to make the No. 9 jersey his own.
The 22-year-old will be eager to build on the potential which saw him receive a surprise call-up to the Wallabies’ 39-man training squad for last year’s Test series against England.
Cubelli’s injury leaves coach Stephen Larkham with a dearth of experience in the halves with Christian Lealiifano unlikely to play in 2017 as he recovers from a bone marrow transplant.
Among Larkham’s options at No. 10 are the uncapped Nick Jooste, 19, and Wharenui Hawera, 23, who the Brumbies signed in January after playing in New Zealand’s provincial championship last year.
Former Western Force centre Kyle Godwin can also play flyhalf.
Cubelli’s absence robs the Brumbies of more experience after Stephen Moore, David Pocock and Matt Toomua left in the off-season.