Prop Paddy Ryan and uncapped winger Tom English have been added to the Wallabies Rugby Championship squad, with hamstring injuries set to rule out Laurie Weeks and Joe Tomane for the first two matches against New Zealand.

Both injuries are considered relatively minor, with Weeks and Tomane each expected to be out for two to three weeks.

However, that would be long enough to rule them out of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup games against New Zealand in Sydney next Saturday and in Auckland the following weekend.

AAP

“It’s disappointing to lose Laurie and Joe at this point,” Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie said.

“But as has been consistent with our stance on injuries over the past year, we’re going to continue to take a pragmatic approach and give guys with issues the chance to focus solely on their rehab before re-joining the squad.”

“We don’t expect them to miss more than a couple of weeks, and when they become available for selection once again, we’ll know they are healthy and ready to contribute.”

“As it is with sport, injuries provide an opportunity for other guys to come through, and I’m sure Paddy and Tom are both excited about taking part in our preparations for the All Blacks.”

Ryan, who won a Third Test cap against France back in June, comes in for Rebels prop Weeks, who re-aggravated a pre-existing hamstring issue at training on Friday.

Weeks who won his first two Test caps coming off the bench against France, was drafted into the squad last Wednesday, after Scott Sio was ruled out with an ankle injury.

Ryan was called up ahead of veteran Waratahs teammate and loosehead prop Benn Robinson. McKenzie emphasised he was looking more at the tighthead side.

“It’s no secret we’re trying to build more depth at tighthead prop and the upcoming fortnight will be a good chance for Paddy to continue improving at this level,” McKenzie said.

Rebels winger English, 23 years old, comes in for luckless Brumbies flyer Tomane, who missed the three-Test series against France with a cheekbone injury.

Australian sevens representative English was one of four additional training squad members for the June three-Test series against France.

“Tom is a guy we are continually learning more about and is someone who impressed us with his attitude and abilities at training during the June series, along with being a consistent performer for the Rebels throughout the year,” McKenzie said.

***************************

ACT Brumbies head coach Stephen Larkham has backed Pat McCabe for a starting spot on the Wallabies wing and believes his versatility makes him an even more valuable player rather than hindering his opportunities.

With Brumbies flyer Joe Tomane returning from Wallabies camp due to a grade-one hamstring strain, McCabe is set to start his first game for Australia in almost two years in the Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Tomane hurt his hammy at training on Friday and has been replaced in the squad by Melbourne Rebels winger Tom English.
Rebels prop Laurie Weeks also suffered a hamstring strain and he’ll be replaced by NSW Waratahs prop Paddy Ryan.

Tomane will miss two to three weeks and is expected to be available for the Test against the Springboks in Perth on September 6.

It’s the second straight Wallabies campaign the 24-year-old will miss after a fractured cheekbone ruled him out of the entire three-Test series against France earlier this year.
He will start his rehab at Brumbies headquarters on Monday when the Canberra Vikings begin training for the National Rugby Championship.

“Everyone’s back on deck so those [injured] boys will join in with the NRC boys and I’ll have a good chance to chat to [Tomane] tomorrow,” Larkham said.

McCabe has been training on both wings at Wallabies camp and looks the likely replacement for Nick Cummins, who has left to play rugby in Japan due to family reasons.

Larkham said McCabe was super fit after a fantastic pre-season and being an important cog in the Brumbies’ charge to the Super Rugby semi-final.

He filled in for the injured Christian Lealiifano at inside centre early in the season and also played at fullback and on the wing.

McCabe is also one of the toughest players in the game and has come back after breaking his neck twice.

Larkham backed him to start on the Wallabies’ wing and said he always played well against New Zealand Super Rugby teams.

“He certainly deserves his spot in the squad and I’d say if you look at the backline at the moment certainly deserves a spot in the starting backline,” he said.

“He’s in really good physical condition at the moment.”

“He’s quick, he’s powerful and I think he’ll be suited anywhere in the backline… and my understanding was there was a bit of competition between himself, Joey and Rob Horne [for the wing].”

“I think Patty would do a fantastic job on the wing.”

McCabe’s versatility means he can play almost anywhere in the backline.

He came to the Brumbies as a fullback, has played on the wing and at both inside and outside centre.

The 26-year-old worked hard on his playmaking over the summer, training a lot at No.10, and has added a skilful edge to his trademark bash-and-crash game.

Larkham didn’t think McCabe’s versatility cost him at the selection table.

“I don’t think it hurts him, I think it’s a good opportunity to work on all different skills that you need in a backline,” Larkham said.

“I think he’s got a really good all-round game and that puts him in good stead to start in any position for the Wallabies or come off the bench in any position for the Wallabies.”

“It’s just made him versatile, it hasn’t made him someone who’s just a squad member.”

“He’s got the skills and had the season to be one of the starting members somewhere in that backline.”

The Wallabies are trying to break the Bledisloe drought that stretches back to 2002.