More misery for Wallabies as experienced campaigner ruled out of third British and Irish Lions Test
Wallabies front-rower Allan Alaalatoa.
Australia will be without the services of experienced tighthead prop Allan Alaalatoa in Saturday’s third Test against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney.
The 31-year-old has been ruled out of the encounter after he sustained a shoulder injury in the Wallabies’ 29-26 defeat against the famous touring team at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at the weekend.
Alaalatoa had started the second Test but did not come out for the second half of the thrilling encounter and was replaced by Tom Robertson.
Wallabies second-rower Jeremy Williams said the prop’s absence would be keenly felt in their squad.
“He’s a massive part of the group,” he said of Alaalatoa.
‘Hopefully he’ll be back out there soon’
“You just [need to] see the work he puts in on and off the field… We just wish him the best in his recovery and hopefully he’ll be back out there soon.”
Alaalatoa’s injury opens the door for the likes of Robertson, Taniela Tupou and Zane Nonggorr to come into the Wallabies’ starting line-up in the third Test against the Lions.
Robertson is the favourite to be promoted to the run-on side, after replacing Alaalatoa in Melbourne and also coming off the bench in the first Test in Brisbane.
However, Tupou caught the eye with a strong showing when he lined up for the First Nations & Pasifika XV in their narrow loss to the Lions at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne last Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Nonggorr is one of the few players in Australia who is yet to take on the tourists for club or country on this tour alongside veteran playmaker James O’Connor.
Ex-All Black in Wallabies camp
Former New Zealand and Chiefs loosehead prop Aidan Ross, who is now plying his trade with the Reds, has also been called up to the Wallabies squad ahead of the third Test with the Lions.
Ross, who made one Test appearance for the All Blacks against Ireland in 2022, has settled into the Wallabies squad and Williams is impressed with what he he has brought to the group.
“He’s a great bloke and he trains really hard,” said the Western Force captain.
“He’s been in a few different systems now, so I’m sure he’s going to add a lot of value to the group, and he’s been going really hard.
“It’s great to have him.”
Apart from Alaalatoa, Force wing Harry Potter has also left the Wallabies camp after sustaining a hamstring injury against the Lions in Melbourne.