Australia: Wallabies lose second-row Matt Philip to injury ahead of end-of-year tour

The Wallabies were dealt a setback on the eve of their end-of-year tour to Europe after experienced second-row Matt Philip was ruled out due to an ACL injury.

The 28-year-old sustained the injury during a training session shortly before the Wallabies were due to depart from Australia for their matches against Scotland, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.

Lengthy stint on the sidelines

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Philip injured himself during a lineout drill and apart from being sidelined for the Wallabies‘ upcoming Tests, he will also miss a significant part of the Melbourne Rebels’ 2023 Super Rugby Pacific campaign.

Philip had only recently returned from a sternum injury and missed Australia’s 40-14 Rugby Championship loss to New Zealand at Eden Park.

It leaves the Wallabies thin in the second-row department with Izack Rodda already sidelined with a foot injury, while Darcy Swain will miss the first two Tests against against Scotland (October 30) and France (November 6) as part of his six match suspension for his horrific challenge on the All Blacks’ Quinn Tupaea in Melbourne.

“Feeling for you MP. We’re all right behind you mate and can’t wait to see you back out there next year,” the Wallabies said in a statement.

Philip is the latest Wallaby forward to be ruled out and he joins Angus Bell (toe) and Rob Leota (Achilles) on the sidelines.

Will Skelton has been recalled to Australia’s squad but is unavailable for selection for the clash against Scotland at Murrayfield under World Rugby’s regulation nine as that Test falls outside the window for clubs to release their players for international duty.

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has not decided on a replacement for Philip yet but he has some options to choose from.

Reds lock Ryan Smith impressed for Australia A in their recent matches against a Japan XV while Waratahs utility forward Ned Hanigan was amongst the new additions to the 36-man Wallabies squad.

Added to that, there is still one overseas slot free to fill under Rugby Australia’s current rules. That could may see Northampton Saints’ Lukhan Salakaia-Loto earning a call-up after he was added to the squad for Australia’s series against England in July.

Relishing European tour

The Wallabies are excited about the prospect of playing five consecutive Tests as the part of their build-up to next year’s World Cup in France.

“Australians love an underdog,” Wallabies captain James Slipper told reporters on Wednesday.

“But we want to go over there with the expectation to win as well. We’re not going over there to come second. There’s no good me standing here in front of you talking about what I want to do. It’s about going over there and doing it.

“You kind of want that momentum running into a World Cup. For us, it’s a great opportunity to start that momentum now.”

Click Here: Robert Lewandowski Jersey Sale