The Wallabies have suffered a setback ahead of their end‑of‑year tour to Japan and Europe after Reece Hodge was sidelined with an ankle injury.
Hodge fractured his ankle during a training and he will not play against the All Blacks in Japan or fly to Europe for the remainder of the tour.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika confirmed the centre would not take part in his team’s four remaining matches this season.
Samu Kerevi may have to be rushed into a Test rugby return having played his first minutes since the June Tests.
Israel Folau could push into the centres having done so for the Waratahs over the years and there is also the presence of Sefa Naivalu in the squad to consider.
Pete Samu will join the squad in Japan after playing a part in the Canberra Vikings’ loss to the Fijian Drua in the first National Rugby Championship semi‑final.
While those injuries will undoubtedly cause some selection headaches Cheika has a clear directive for his team as they strive to finish the season with a string of wins.
The All Blacks take on the Wallabies at 6pm this Saturday in their final Bledisloe Cup Test.
[Source: Planet Rugby]
