Another key injury has left the Wallabies in disarray as Joe Schmidt’s physically battered and psychologically bruised outfit stare down the barrel of a dubious place in Australian sports history.
From outside the squad, Brandon Paenga-Amosa has answered an SOS call from Schmidt to jump on the bench for Australia’s third and final Test against the British and Irish Lions in Sydney.
Billy Pollard has been promoted to the starting side after first-choice hooker David Porecki was ruled out on Friday with a leg injury, with Paenga-Amosa rushing in to camp to join the squad.
The late reshuffle comes after superstar forwards Allan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini were already ruled out of one of the Wallabies’ most significant Tests ever.
A loss at Accor Stadium would consign the Wallabies to the first 3-0 series whitewash at the hands of the Lions on home soil since 1904.
Compounding their troubles, Queensland Reds rake Matt Faessler – initially selected ahead of Pollard as the reserve hooker – was also ruled out after tweaking his calf during the week.
