Australia's injury problems are mounting ahead of Saturday’s final Test with the British and Irish Lions, with hookers David Porecki and Matt Faessler both picking up foot issues in training yesterday.
Porecki had been named in Joe Schmidt’s starting side for the third Test at Accor Stadium, but his withdrawal means that Billy Pollard will now step up to the starting team.
Faessler would most likely have been next cab off the rank to come onto the bench, but his injury means Western Force hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa has now been drafted in as emergency cover.
The 29-year-old, who last featured for the Wallabies in November in their Autumn Nations Series defeat to Ireland, has already played against the Lions three times this summer, lining out for the Western Force, the Australia and New Zealand combined XV, as well as the First Nations and Pasifika XV last week in Melbourne.
The two hookers join a growing injury list Schmidt is currently dealing with after Rob Valetini, Allan Ala’alatoa and Harry Potter all picked up knocks in last week’s second Test.
"Brandon joined us yesterday afternoon. Obviously after a bit of a tough Thursday training session, we’re gutted to lose a few great players in Porecki and Fez, but we have a lot of confidence in BPA," Australia captain Harry Wilson said at Accor Stadium this morning.
"He’s been around this group for quite a long time over the last year, year and a half, and he’s obviously versed the Lions three times already."
The build-up to this week’s Test has been overshadowed by the fallout from the controversial ending to last week, when the match officials allowed Hugo Keenan’s winning try to stand after a TMO check about possible foul play from Jac Morgan on Wallabies back row Carlo Tizzano.
In the days since, Tizzano has been on the receiving end of criticism from many ex-players for his apparent exaggeration of the collision, something Schmidt was quick to counter.
However, Wilson (below) says while they are supporting their team-mate, it hasn’t provided extra motivation.
"Carlo is such a tough, tough man and he’s been copping it from everywhere which I don't think is right, because you don't meet a tougher footie player than Carlo," he said.
"We haven’t really appreciated what he’s copped and it’s probably a good thing for him to get out of the limelight and get his body right and get back to enjoying his footie.
"Obviously with this series comes a lot of media, a lot of pressure, and it seems like a lot of people want to take it out on him this week.
"You never like seeing your mate targeted, that’s something which no one appreciates. In saying that we have enough motivation for this game."
Even though the series may be over with a game to spare, the Australia captain insists the Wallabies will come back stronger as they look to deny the tourists a first 3-0 series win in this country since 1904.
And Wilson believes the concept of Lions tours should never be taken away from the modern game.
He said: "When you put four teams together, four of the best players from those countries, it’s always going to be an unbelievable team.
"There’s always somebody who’s always going to be negative about anything which is good for rugby.
"This has been an unbelievable series, for UK rugby, for Australian rugby and everyone has loved being a part of it.
"Anyone here who has been a part of it all couldn't say a negative word about it.
"There’s always someone trying to tear something down, but once in every 12 years, as an Australian, it’s been an unbelievable series to be a part of and I know every Australian has loved being a part of it."
UPDATED
Australia: Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Dylan Pietsch; Tom Lynagh, Nic White; James Slipper, Billy Pollard, Taniela Tupou; Nick Frost, Will Skelton; Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt).
Replacements: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell, Zane Nonggorr, Jeremy Williams, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Andrew Kellaway.
British and Irish Lions: Hugo Keenan; Tommy Freeman, Huw Jones, Bundee Aki, Blair Kinghorn; Finn Russell, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Maro Itoje, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry, Jack Conan.
Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Ollie Chessum, Jac Morgan, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Owen Farrell.
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