The Wallabies have suffered an injury scare before Saturday night’s series-opening rugby Test against Wales with winger Joe Tomane in doubt following a training mishap.
Brumbies flyer Tomane, who made his international debut in Tuesday’s shock loss to Scotland, injured his left ankle during Australia’s training run at Ballymore on Thursday afternoon and left the session early to undergo scans.
Fellow league convert Cooper Vuna is now poised to make his Test debut against the Welsh at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland Reds Luke Morahan and Dom Shipperley are also in the Wallabies squad and loom as potential replacements but Vuna was used to replace Tomane, running on the right wing with the starting side.
A former Newcastle Knights NRL player, New Zealand product Vuna would become the 860th Wallabies player if he starts against the Six Nations champions, who are looking for their first victory against Australia at home since 1969.
Tackle-busting Tomane, who switched codes after stints with Melbourne and Gold Coast in the NRL, had limited opportunities in the wet against the Scots but showed good signs of his potential.
The injury news follows a disappointing medical report for Western Force No.8 Ben McCalman who has been omitted from Australia’s squad as he’s expected to require shoulder surgery which will rule him out of the three-Test Welsh series plus Super Rugby.