The Wallabies will be forced to be creative in their backline selections to play Scotland, with outside centre Tevita Kuridrani becoming the sixth player rubbed out of this weekend’s Test at Murrayfield.
In a major blow to Australia, Kuridrani on Wednesday morning (AEDT) copped a five-week suspension for his tip-tackle on flanker Peter O’Mahony in the 32-15 win over Ireland in Dublin.
The Australian Rugby Union is weighing up whether to appeal the ban but the in-form Brumbies rookie faces an almost certain finish to his end-of-season tour.
It leaves a massive hole in the pivotal No.13 position, especially with veteran utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper also stood down from the match.
Ashley-Cooper, who started the first seven Tests of the year at outside centre before Kuridrani took over the role, was among five players already suspended for the Scotland clash due to their late night out in Dublin last week.
With fellow starting winger Nick Cummins also banned, coach Ewen McKenzie is set to promote Joe Tomane and Chris Feauai-Sautia to his strife-torn three-quarter line.
Both would be expected to start on the wings while McKenzie, who names his team on Thursday, must make a tricky decision on who to improvise with at No.13.
Brumbies sharp-shooter Christian Leali’ifano, currently covering No.10 and 12 from the bench, would be the safest move but the coach could also gamble on moving freakishly talented Israel Folau from fullback, where’s he’s been a dangerous attacking weapon, or promoting Mike Harris.
Leali’ifano, Harris and Folau have all played at outside centre in senior rugby.
McKenzie had travelled to London with Kuridrani on Tuesday holding some hope of having him exonerated in a IRB disciplinary hearing as teammate Matt Toomua was also involved in the tackle.
But judicial officer Professor Lorne Crerar found Kuridrani guilty and decided the offence should be classed as mid-range – warranting an eight-week ban and then added a further week as a deterrent.
Crerar deducted four weeks to reflect the 22-year-old’s previous good disciplinary record and other mitigating factors to leave the player with a five-week suspension.
His ban will expire on February 16, allowing him to play in the Brumbies Super Rugby opener against Queensland the following weekend.
Forward reserves Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Liam Gill are the other Wallabies stood down from the Murrayfield clash, while prop Paddy Ryan will serve his one-Test ban in the final match on tour against Wales.