The Wallabies have been dealt a massive blow with two-time defending John Eales Medalist Rob Valetini ruled out of next week's Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland.
Valetini will not travel to New Zealand with the team after succumbing to calf tightness, and has been replaced by Pete Samu.
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It's an issue that has plagued the star Wallabies backrower throughout the 2025 Test season.
Valetini, 27, featured in just one Test during the British & Irish Lions series, including missing the opening game against Fiji.
A further tweak saw him on the sidelines for the win over the Springboks at Ellis Park, before returning for the last three games of the Rugby Championship.
Valetini’s absence adds further challenge in Australia’s bid to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup, with Joe Schmidt’s men needing to break the All Blacks' 52-game winning streak at Eden Park to set up a deciding Test in Perth.
New Zealand are coming off a record defeat to South Africa, but Wallabies scrumhalf Jake Gordon said earlier in the week that it means nothing ahead of the rivalry match.
"They're always tough challenges. Their incredible record at home at Eden Park is something you definitely wouldn't take lightly," Gordon said on Friday.
"We know the threat they can do to you on a night.
"We are very aware of them when they play at their best. They're a really good team who have performed really well for a long time. We're expecting a really good Test match."
Valetini's absence will likely see Tom Hooper shift back to blindside flanker, where he has started on three occasions in 2025.
Hooper has since found a home in the second-row, with his move back opening space for either Jeremy Williams or Lukhan Salakaia-Loto to start, with Nick Frost back from injury.
Samu and 2025 debutant Nick Champion de Crespigny are further options, with Samu yet to pull on the gold jersey under Schmidt since his return from France.
The Wallabies will head to Auckland in the next 24 hours, sitting on top of the Rugby Championship.
