Matt Toomua

The Brumbies are facing a test of their squad depth after their Super Rugby defeat on Friday against the Blues.

ACT and Wallaby pivot Matt Toomua has been sidelined for 4 to 6 weeks with an ankle syndesmosis injury suffered in their 14 / 16 loss the Auckland outfit.

The in-form Brumbies prop Scott Sio, who was replaced just after halftime, suffered a knee medial ligament strain.

Sio is staring down the barrel of 6 to 8 weeks out with only 9 Rounds of the Super Rugby regular season remaining.

Inside centre Christian Lealiifano is the likely candidate to take the reins at flyhalf for their upcoming fixture against the Melbourne Rebels, while South African born JP Smith is set to replace Sio at prop.

Utility back James Dargaville, who is a convert from flank to wing, is to undergo scans to identify whether he has broken bones in his foot, which could potentially result in a similar recovery period to Sio.

Toomua’s injury is the same as teammate David Pocock suffered in Round 1, and he was able to return to the field a mere 4 weeks later.

If that is the case with Toomua, he would have a chance of making the Brumbies’ South African tour in May.

Nigel Ah Wong and 21-year-old Lausii Taliauli are poised to come into the centres which would force Henry Speight back out to his usual position on the wing.

The injury woes for the Brumbies are piling up in the backline with Jesse Mogg and Tevita Kurindrani still recovering from shoulder injuries.

rugby365