Wallabies stars David Pocock and Allan Alaalatoa have been ruled out of the Brumbies’ crucial Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs.

The pair suffered injuries during the ACT franchise’s 29-26 loss to the Melbourne Rebels last week and will not be risked on Friday night at GIO Stadium.

It is a major blow for the Brumbies, who are desperate to get their season back on track after slumping to a 1-3 record.

Brumbies coach Dan McKellar said the prime movers could miss up to two weeks.

Prop Alaalatoa has been cleared of major damage to his wrist while Pocock is trying to manage a niggling calf issue which has troubled him since January.

Unheralded prop Leslie Leuluaialii-Makin will replace Alaalatoa in the side, but the Brumbies are holding off announcing their final team until Wednesday night.

McKellar is hoping for a similar result to the last time Pocock missed a game, which saw the Brumbies demolish the Chiefs 54-17 three weeks ago.

A third-straight loss would almost sink the Brumbies’ finals hopes not even a third of the way through the season.

The Rebels are top of the Australian conference with a 3-0 record while the Waratahs are second at 2-1 after defeating the winless Queensland Reds last week.

McKellar said his team was motivated to take down the Waratahs for the second straight time after the Brumbies won the final-round clash last year.

“It’s the Tahs at home, an opportunity to get stuck into the New South Welshmen, what more do you need to get excited,” he said on Wednesday.

“You’re playing against NSW whether it’s rugby, marbles or whatever, yeah I’m a Queenslander, but I’m a Brumbies man now and there’s a dislike for the Tahs.”