The Wallabies have sent home in-form playmaker Matt Toomua from their European tour in another major blow to the strife-torn backline.
The tough and skilful inside centre is flying back into Australia on Thursday after suffering a hamstring strain in training at Edinburgh.
He finished the Tuesday session but scans have shown a low-grade strain which has ruled him out of this weekend’s Test against Scotland and the tour finale against Wales in Cardiff.
It’s the latest in a string of blows to the Wallabies backline, which was in scintillating form in the past two wins over Italy and Ireland.
Toomua had been a major key to that as a perfect foil to five-eighth Quade Cooper, but now Australia will sport a completely new three-quarter line.
They were already without incumbent wingers Adam Ashley-Cooper and Nick Cummins, stood down for staying out late drinking in Dublin last week, as well as suspended outside centre Tevita Kuridrani.
Kuridrani was slugged with a five-week ban for a dangerous tip tackle on Irish flanker Peter O’Mahony in the 32-15 win at Aviva Stadium.
It means the Wallabies will sport a severely patched-up backline against the Scots, with players being forced to line up out of position.
Coach Ewen McKenzie believes his side will handle the adversity but was disappointed for Toomua, a five-eighth with the Brumbies, after becoming a revelation at No.12.
“Matt has had a fantastic season and has done a terrific job for the Wallabies in a new position,” McKenzie said.
“It’s extremely disappointing to lose him at this point and not have him available for our final two games.
“However, he’s shown all the positive attributes we want in our players and we are looking forward to seeing him use his international experience to continue his development during the Super Rugby competition next year.”
The hard-tackling and big-kicking player’s injury won’t affect his start to the 2014 Super Rugby season.
Brumbies teammate Christian Leali’ifano had been the most likely to replace Kuridrani at No.13, but he may now move back to No.12 in place of Toomua.
Coach Ewen McKenzie may be forced to move superstar Israel Folau from fullback to plug a gap at wing or outside centre and promote Bernard Foley to fullback, or choose Mike Harris at No.13.
Rookie Chris Feauai-Sautia is a certainty to start, probably on the wing but maybe at No.13, as is Brumbies flyer Joe Tomane.
NSW winger Peter Betham has received an SOS and will join the 32-man squad on Thursday, but is unlikely to play at Murrayfield.
Showing the lack of backline players left available, reserve halfback Nick Phipps may be required to sit on the bench and provide wing cover.
