Carlo Tizzano among major Wallaby injury doubts as ex-All Black drafted into squad for final British and Irish Lions Test
Carlo Tizzano (front left) with an inset of Rob Valetini (right)
The Wallabies could be without as many as four of their key players ahead of the final Test against the British and Irish Lions, one of which is flanker Carlo Tizzano.
The back-rower was cleared out by Jac Morgan in the build-up to Hugo Keenan’s decisive try in the final play of the game, and is reportedly suffering with neck soreness as a result.
He is among four names who are now under an injury cloud heading into Saturday’s final Test in Sydney, including winger Harry Potter, prop Alan Alaalatoa and back-rower Rob Valetini.
‘We’ve got a fair few bumps and bruises’
“There are inevitably a few walking wounded after a Test match of that intensity,” Schmidt said after the match.
“We’ve got a fair few bumps and bruises, including some fallout from the last action of the game (on Carlo Tizzano). We’ll get players checked out and we’ll see how they come through.”
He added: “I don’t think Harry Potter will be fit. That’s a hamstring injury that looked severe enough to put him out for a period of time.”
Outside back Potter was replaced early in the first-half of yesterday’s second Test at the MCG, following a hamstring issue, while tighthead Alaalatoa was replaced at half-time after picking up an upper torso injury.
These will, of course, be a concern for Schmidt heading into the game next weekend; however, the knock to Valetini seems the biggest blow out of the lot.
Wayne Barnes wades into the heated debate over Jac Morgan’s Lions clear-out of Carlo Tizzano
The imposing Melbourne-native made a barnstorming return to the starting side in yesterday’s defeat and was a key enforcer alongside Will Skelton during their early period of dominance.
His performance made the decision to take him off after just 47 minutes seem strange upon first glance, but Schmidt has revealed his star forward was carrying a knock.
“He just was tightening up,” the Wallabies boss said. “The plan for him and Will was about 50 minutes each.”
“He made a real impression. He’s been a talisman for us, so losing him and a couple of front-rowers destabilised us a bit.”
Valetini was already under an injury cloud heading into the series, and missed the opener due to a calf injury.
These injuries also come as former All Black Aidan Ross has been drafted into the wider squad for the upcoming Test in Sydney. He won his one and only Test cap for the All Blacks in July 2022 against Ireland, and qualifies for Australia due to being born in the country.
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