Injuries have forced experienced hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and lock Peter Kimlin out of the Wallabies’ extended squad preparing for the Rugby Championship.
Coach Ewen McKenzie on Wednesday called up Queensland Reds hooker Albert Anae to replace Polota-Nau in the 38-man squad which is to be cut to 30 on Friday ahead of next week’s opening Test against the All Blacks in Sydney.
Much-capped but injury-prone, Polota-Nau was ruled out when unable to overcome a hamstring problem and he will undergo two weeks of rehabilitation before returning.
Tough second rower Kimlin is set to miss the entire Rugby Championship, sidelined for up to six weeks after it was decided he should undergo surgery on a broken thumb suffered in the Brumbies’ Super Rugby semi-final victory over the Bulls in Pretoria.
Kimlin played with the injury in the Super Rugby final loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton last weekend.
McKenzie said Anae would be the only additional player brought in and he would provide front-row cover as both a capable hooker and prop.
“It’s always disappointing to lose players through injury but in Tatafu’s case we don’t expect him to be out long and he will still play a large part in our upcoming campaign,” McKenzie said.
“What his injury has done though is open the door for Albert to take up an opportunity.
“Albert is still young for a front-rower but his versatility is a real asset, while he also possesses the appropriate size and strength to adapt positively to the new scrum laws.
“You’re always searching for players with a lot of potential and Albert is a guy who will learn plenty from being part of the national environment.”