Joe Schmidt all but ruled out Joey Carbery for the rest of the November Series and admitted that his lack of game-time at out-half is an "unfortunate situation".
The Leinster utility back has to play second fiddle to Ireland out-half Johnny Sexton at club level but, in the absence of Paddy Jackson, is regarded as Schmidt’s number two number 10.
The 22-year-old faces a spell on the sidelines now after a taking a heavy tackle during the 23-20 win over Fiji that resulted in what Schmidt reckons is a broken arm.
"I think he’s fractured his left forearm," said the head coach.
"It’s undisplaced [sic] as far as I know and we’ll update it on Monday.
"I can’t absolutely confirm that but that appears to be the case. That will mean he won’t take any further part in the Guinness Series for us."
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The situation then becomes all the more frustrating with Carbery playing such an influential part in proceedings, displaying bravery and no little skill up until the 62nd minute.
"I thought Joey was a bit special, the way he cut the line and got that pass superbly into the hands of Darren Sweetnam," said Schmidt of the first try, which began with the New Zealand-born back side-stepping a would-be Fijian tackler.
"I thought his ability to organise others is coming along. That’s one of the biggest responsibilities of a 10.
"His own game was really good, his cross-kick to Dave Kearney from his own 22 was pin-point perfect.
"His vision is really good. The kick [for the disallowed try] was really well placed for us to be competitive, up at it but…his pass for Sweetnam, I don’t think you’d see a much more accurate pass.
"And the threat he poses at the line himself, he ducked and dived and asked a few questions of the Fijian defence.
"He’s brave, potentially, to a fault because he takes no heed of who’s in front of him.
"If there’s a half a [gap] or things are being closed down outside him, he’ll take the responsibility of carrying the ball.
"It’s an unfortunate situation for us but I totally understand that you’ve got Johnny Sexton at Leinster, he plays. Rob Kearney was injured so Joey’s taken the responsibility at full-back.
"I just appreciate that he gets game-time. He’s in good condition to play.
"I’d love to see him play 10 more often, that would help his development but I also know it’s a needs-must situation and there’s some really competitive games coming up.
"He is such a good young player, he’s such a team-oriented character, he would play anywhere and he’ll continue to do that if it’s the best for the team."
Munster centre Chris Farrell made his debut and Schmidt said he thought the ex-Grenoble man coped "incredibly well".
"I though Chris was really solid," he said.
"He got a couple of balls that he got the man at the same time and the man was big and very aggressive and I thought he coped incredible well.
"He looked after the ball well, he defended well..it was a good solid hit-out for his first Test match."
Farrell’s performance is unlikely to get him in the team for next week against Argentina but the ex-Leinster boss said there are places up for grabs.
"There’s definitely jersey to be won based on a review that will take some time," he said, adding that no player apart from Carbery was injured during the game.
"All round there are a few promising things and there’s plenty to tidy up from a performance like that.
"It’s something that we thought might be the case, you always hope for better and fear worse.
"At least it didn’t get worse than managing to get our nose if front at the right time."
