An extraordinary Wallabies injury curse has got even worse with star flanker Michael Hooper ruled out of Sunday’s (2.15am AEDT) clash with Wales because of concussion.
The Wallabies said the former captain presented with concussion symptoms following the loss to Ireland and would fly home to Australia on Thursday.
Fraser McReight is the obvious replacement for Hooper at openside flanker.
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The Wallabies will officially name their squad on Friday at 1am (AEDT).
The Wallabies had already confirmed the loss of Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Hunter Paisami, Dave Porecki, Andrew Kellaway and Nic White to injury after losing to Ireland.
“We know our medical staff are doing everything that they can to get the boys ready,” Wallabies forward Jed Holloway said.
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“We’ve just had a rough trot. As a squad, we need to lick our wounds and go again because we’ve got another big Test match this weekend at Principality (Stadium).
“What those injuries bring is a huge amount of opportunity for guys coming in and those guys need to take that opportunity and we need to get a result as a team.”
Both Australia and Wales are desperate for a morale-boosting win.
The Wallabies are 1-3 on tour while Wales are reeling after a historic loss to Georgia.
“It’s tough. I’m not going to lie. It is incredibly disappointing, which is probably putting it lightly,” Wales assistant coach and Test legend Neil Jenkins said.
“It’s one of the darkest days. But you’ve got to go again. We’ve got another Test match on Saturday (local time), and it is important that we turn up and front up…
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“It’s horrific. It’s absolutely horrific. It never gets easier, not that it should do either. I’m a passionate Welshman.
“I’m desperate for Wales to do well. It could be tiddlywinks, I want Wales to win and be successful.
“Whether I’m involved in that or not is irrelevant to me. I want Wales to be successful.
“I want to win Test matches. That’s what I’m here for, to be successful and win.”
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