Australia dealt injury blow ahead of Scotland match as decision made on replacement call-up
The Wallabies will be without one of their breakout stars for this Sunday’s match at Murrayfield and their other remaining Nations Championship fixtures.
Australia have confirmed that centre Isaac Henry has been ruled out of their remaining Nations Championship fixtures.
The 27-year-old sustained a strained hamstring in their 45-22 defeat to England at Twickenham last weekend and will play no further part in their remaining November Test matches. The Wallabies are due to face Scotland at Murrayfield this Sunday.
The Queensland Reds back only made his international debut earlier this year but has already won six caps for his country and earned positive reviews along the way. The Wallabies have confirmed they do not plan to add anyone else to their squad following Henry’s withdrawal.
Injury to Australia centre could open the door for Kurtley Beale’s incredible Test rugby return
A statement from Rugby Australia said: “Isaac Henry has been ruled out of the remainder of the November Nations Championship Tests after straining his hamstring against England in yesterday’s Test in London. At this stage there will be no further additions to the squad.”
The news of Brisbane native’s injury comes just weeks after fellow centre Hunter Paisami had to drop out of the squad due to family reasons, resulting in a stunning recall to the national team for 37-year-old Kurtley Beale. The 95 cap veteran, who was brought in to cover multiple positions, could yet return to Test match rugby for the first time since 2021 against Scotland this weekend.
However, the most likely replacement in the starting XV for Henry would be his Reds teammate Filipo Daugunu. The versatile 31-year-old came off the bench following Henry’s injury in the 57th minute against England.
He could form a midfield partnership in the team alongside Exeter Chiefs’ star Len Ikitau. If that is the pairing that head coach Les Kiss decides to go with then it would be the Wallabies seventh new centre combination in as many matches.
Paisami and Henry lined up together when they faced Argentina in August then it was Ikitau and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii for their second Test against Los Pumas a week later. They went with Paisami and Ikitau against South Africa in September and then Ikitau and Henry for their first Bledisloe Test against the All Blacks last month. Henry partnered Suaalii in the second Bledisloe Test and then linked up with Ikitau for the England match.
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