Australia will be forced to do without hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and lock Peter Kimlin for their opening Rugby Championship clash against New Zealand.
The Wallabies are looking to bounce back following their recent series defeat against the British and Irish Lions, and they face another stern test the against tournament favourites.
The two nations go head-to-head in Sydney on August 17th, but Polota-Nau will not play as he struggles with a hamstring injury, while Kimlin is looking at a six-week spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on his fractured thumb.
New Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie is set to name his final 30-man squad on Friday but, in the meantime, Versatile Wellington-born Reds front rower Albert Anae has been called into the extended training squad.
“It’s always disappointing to lose players through injury but in Tatafu’s case we don’t expect him to be out long and he will still play a large part in our upcoming campaign,” McKenzie said.
“What his injury has done though is open the door for Albert to take up an opportunity. Albert is still young for a front-rower but his versatility is a real asset, while he also possesses the appropriate size and strength to adapt positively to the new scrum laws.
“You’re always searching for players with a lot of potential and Albert is a guy who will learn plenty from being part of the national environment.”
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