Genia, Horne drop out of Wallabies squad

Will Genia’s World Cup hopes have taken a blow with the Wallabies halfback set for surgery on his injured knee.

The veteran played only the first half of Australia’s thrilling 24-20 win over South Africa on Saturday night, having limped off at halftime with what scans later revealed as bone bruising and ligament damage.

Genia has been excluded from the 31-man squad that will travel to Mendoza on Monday for the second Rugby Championship Test against Argentina and is not expected to be available for selection until the Bledisloe Cup series later this month.

Winger Rob Horne, who has aggravated an old calf strain, has also been ruled out but Matt Giteau has been cleared to travel despite suffering a broken nose against the Springboks.

“It’s disappointing for Will and Rob to miss this upcoming Test,” coach Michael Cheika said.

“They have both made an outstanding contribution to the group this past two weeks, and will continue to remain part of the wider squad from afar.”

Nick Phipps replaced Genia on Saturday night and has the opportunity to establish himself as Australia’s first-choice scrumhalf with his competition for the spot now sidelined for at least two weeks.

Nick Cummins and Nic White will replace the injured pair, and will meet the Wallabies squad in Argentina after travelling from the United States, where they have been on a promotional tour ahead of the forthcoming Test in Chicago.

Also included are hooker James Hanson and prop Tetera Faulkner, who come into the group to further bolster a pack that was soundly beaten by South Africa, while Rory Arnold and Taqele Naiyaravoro have dropped out.

Wallabies squad for Argentina: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Quade Cooper, Nick Cummins, Tetera Faulkner, Scott Fardy, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Matt Giteau, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham, Greg Holmes, Michael Hooper, James Horwill, Sekope Kepu, Tevita Kuridrani, Stephen Moore (c), Drew Mitchell, Ben McCalman, Sean McMahon, Dean Mumm, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Rob Simmons, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Matt Toomua, Joe Tomane, Nic White.

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