Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed they will look for further overseas reinforcements to their squad with Reece Hodge ruled out for the rest of the year.
Hodge suffered a pectoral injury during the 32-23 win over Japan, with scans after the game confirming he will spend the immediate future on the sidelines.
The only place to watch All Blacks v Wales is on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
It comes at a horror time for the Wallabies after the confirmation Japan-based duo Samu Kerevi and Sean McMahon will not travel to Europe, opting to remain with their club Suntory.
“We’re a little bit thin, especially with ‘Hodgey’ looking like he’ll be out long term so we’ll certainly have to look for replacements,” Rennie admitted to reporters on Tuesday.
“The scan was (Monday) last night so I haven’t had a chance to chat with the medics but he’s certainly not going to be right in the near future.”
Once again, the Wallabies are in need of a new fullback as Hodge joins Tom Banks on the sidelines, with Banks breaking his arm in the Rugby Championship.
Kurtley Beale will likely join the squad as further depth, with the Wallabies coach confirming the former Waratah had been sounded out and was keen for a comeback.
Whilst the idea of pushing Jordan Petaia back to fullback has been floated, Rennie suggested breakout star Andrew Kellaway is preferred ahead of next week's Scotland Test, having filled in there in Hodge's absence against Japan.
“I thought Jordy was excellent on the weekend. Excellent because he did all the little things well. Normally when you talk about Jordy, you talk about his X-factor and the unbelievable offload or big break but he was just really strong around highball, defence and his work rate was really good off the ball,” he added on Petaia.
“He was really solid. We think he’s got the skillset to play 15, (but) we think Andrew Kellaway is probably better suited at the moment. He played a big chunk of the game there last week.
“It’s certainly a position Jordy would like to play, hopefully, he gets some experience at Super Rugby level.”
READ MORE:
WITHDRAW: Kerevi, McMahon out of Spring Tour
BUILDING: Pasifika announce signings
KNOW YOUR WALLAROO: Arabella McKenzie
The growing list of departures leaves the Wallabies squad 'thin' in Rennie's eyes, already leaving Marika Koroibete and Pone Fa'amausili behind from the original 37-man squad.
As well as this, flyhalf Quade Cooper's availability is still up in the air as the Wallabies prepare to meet with his club Kintetsu on Wednesday.
With this in mind, Rennie concedes they will look for more than just Beale to join the squad, however, was hesitant to look back to Australia to avoid jeopardising their pre-seasons.
“We’ll need more than one with leaving Marika and Pone at home and we didn’t replace any of those guys,” he said.
“With Hodgey injured and those guys not coming from Japan, we’re just a little bit thin.
“We’ve got to get board approval because again our preference is to not drag those guys over from Australia. They’re a fair way through their time off and active rest. We’ve got a really good plan for them for the pre-season.”
