Adam Coleman’s spring tour is over, with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika confirming the lineout general has suffered a grade tour medial ligament strain.
Coleman suffered the injury early in Saturday’s 23-22 victory over Scotland, when a ruck collapsed and he copped a knock to the left knee.
The 25-year-old had scans on Saturday night, travelled with the team to Paris on Sunday and was hopeful of playing a part later in the tour but received the bad news on Monday morning.
“Obviously Adam has got an injury that’s going to rule him out of the rest of the tour, there’s no doubt about that,” Cheika said in Paris.
“We’ll get him home and get him healed and then he can have a holiday before next season starts.”
His role in the starting lineup will likely be filled by the experienced Rob Simmons, while a host of squad members – including veteran Kane Douglas, the versatile Dean Mumm as well as fringe options Will Skelton and Sam Carter – could also benefit.
But there’s no doubting Coleman’s absence is a serious blow to Australia’s grand slam ambitions, with the rookie forming a devastating combination with fellow towering youngster Rory Arnold in quick time this year.
Coleman has also embraced the lineout calling and taken on a senior role within the team – but Cheika wanted to focus on having found a dynamic young locking combination, rather than lament losing him for the rest of the year.
“It’s a bit of a shame for him because he’s had a really good start to the year and he’s worked his way through since June,” Cheika added.
“In saying that it gives someone else an opportunity now.
“There’s two ways to look at it. There’s the discovery – we’ve been able to get these two guys playing good rugby and starting to improve at this level.
“We’ve also got ourselves another very, very handy lineout caller and he’s only in single digit Tests.
“(Coleman has) got a good future. He’s got to keep working on it, there’s no doubt about that. He knows that.
“He’s disappointed but that’s the way footy goes sometimes.”
Australia play France at Stade de France on Saturday (Sunday AEDT), before finishing off with Tests against Ireland and England.
