Eddie Jones’ hopes of snapping the Wallabies’ six-decade drought in Pretoria have taken yet another blow, with tight-head prop – and one of the leading contenders to captain Australia – Allan Alaalatoa long odds to play against the Springboks on July 9.
Alaalatoa, 29, was forced off with a calf injury early in the second half during the Brumbies’ 31-21 loss to the Chiefs on Saturday night.
Scans on Tuesday are likely to confirm a tear, which will see him spend between six-eight weeks on the sideline pitting him in a race against time to line up against the world champions in what is Jones’ first Test back in charge of the Wallabies since November 26, 2005.
The injury setback, which will also see him miss the Brumbies’ finals charge, will stretch the Wallabies’ front-row stocks as they try to end their 0-7 record in Pretoria against the Springboks.
Allan Alaalatoa is racing the clock to be fit for the Wallabies’ first Test of the year against the Springboks. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
While loose-head Angus Bell and tight-head Taniela Tupou have just started running again, both are unlikely to be fit until late in the Rugby Championship. Nor is recently re-signed Force prop Tom Robertson, whose ACL injury earlier this month has ended his World Cup hopes.
It means Jones will be without three of his four best props for their clash against the Springboks, who possess arguably the world’s best pack, including their formidable front-row trio Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx and Frans Malherbe.
Ex-Wallabies coach Dave Rennie at times turned to James Slipper switching to the tight-head side, but given Bell’s injury, as well as Scott Sio’s move to Exeter, it’s unlikely the incumbent Wallabies skipper will be asked to move so early in a World Cup year.
It means Jones will be looking closely at Rebels duo Sam Talakai and Pone Fa’amausili, who both made their debuts under Rennie. Waratahs prop Harry Johnson-Holmes is another he will strongly consider.
One-Test Wallaby Sam Talakai shapes as someone firmly in Eddie Jones’ Rugby Championship plans following Allan Alaalatoa’s injury setback. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Talakai closed the Wallabies’ win out against Wales superbly, coming off the bench to make his debut in the final stages to help Rennie’s men secure an important victory and finish the year on a high.
While he won’t scrum you off the park , the 31-year-old is the ultimate teammate, who drives standards and is a hard-working, reliable tight-head prop.
But it’s likely Jones will look closely at Fa’amausili to come off the bench and make an impact.
The 26-year-old’s physique has had Australian rugby licking its lips since making his debut for the Rebels in 2018.
But the hulking prop has battled injury, form and turning around the perception that he is lazy. It’s why he missed out on the Wallabies’ first – and last – session of the year under Rennie.
Jones will see it as a challenge to get the best out of the 196cm, 130kg prop, who remains unsigned next year. It could well help the Rebels’ hopes of retaining the prop.
Wallabies head coach Eddie Jones will see getting the best out of Pone Fa’amausili (L) as a challenge. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
If he can, it will provide the Wallabies with some more depth and power in a position that can win – and lose – you World Cup knockout matches.
The Force’s struggles at the set-piece have shown how costly it can be without an operating and functioning scrum.
It’s why Alaalatoa’s injury on the eve of the Wallabies’ international season is such a significant setback.
For Jones, who is wanting to turn a new page for the Wallabies and kick-start their World Cup campaign, it could force him to reconsider his plans given they will take on Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas less than a week after playing the ‘Boks in South Africa.
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