The Wallabies’ hopes of starting 2024 with a bang have been dealt a blow, with star centre Len Ikitau injured on the eve of their first Test of the season against Wales.
Less than 24 hours after Kurtley Beale’s shattering injury for Randwick in the Shute Shield on Saturday, The Roar can reveal Ikitau – the classy Brumbies outside centre – will miss the Wales opener with a hamstring injury. Joey Walton, 24, has been called up, The Roar understands.
Wallabies officials are keeping tight-lipped about Ikitau’s availability, telling The Roar he would be at training on Monday. The Brumbies centre was present at a fan day in Sydney’s inner-west.
But it’s believed the 25-year-old, who played the last of his 28 Tests against Argentina before missing the rest of The Rugby Championship with a shoulder injury, suffered the setback in training late last week with the Wallabies.
Len Ikitau suffered a hamstring injury at Wallabies training last week. (Photo by Rodrigo Valle/Getty Images)
After Jordan Petaia wore the No.13 jersey throughout the Wallabies’ opening three World Cup fixtures, with Leicester-bound outside centre Izaia Perese filling the role in the win against Portugal, Schmidt will have to turn to a new option for Saturday’s opener against Wales.
The injury could see Josh Flook, the specialist outside centre and one of the grittiest players in Australian rugby, get given an opportunity after years of being on the periphery of selection.
He will face pressure from his new Reds teammate Filipo Daugunu, who had a memorable year for the Rebels after spending more time in the No.13 jersey after previously predominantly being seen as a winger.
Flook’s partnership with Hunter Paisami could prove telling.
David Feliaui, the 27-year-old late bloomer who cut his professional teeth in Romania before earning a chance in Melbourne, is another option. Hamish Stewart, the tough Force midfielder, is another option.
Josh Flook will likely go head to head with Filipo Daugunu for the No.13 jersey after Len Ikitau’s injury. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Andrew Kellaway has also played at outside centre, but the regular outside back is more likely to feature in Schmidt’s starting back three.
Walton, the former Junior Wallaby who has a consistent year for the Waratahs are a run of injuries, has been called up ahead of his Super Rugby teammate Lalakai Foketi.
The revelation comes hours after Beale, who was released as one of four players from the Wallabies’ initial 38-man squad, suffered a devastating injury during Randwick’s 50-37 win over Eastern Suburbs.
Beale came off the bench but was helped off the field in the 59th minute with what appeared to be an Achilles injury.
Meanwhile, Reds duo Ryan Smith and Harry Wilson have also left the Wallabies camp.
Wilson was always unlikely to feature against Wales in Sydney after breaking his arm against the Rebels midway through the Super Rugby season.
Schmidt has several options available to fill the No.8 jersey though, with reigning John Eales Medallist Rob Valetini, his Brumbies teammate Charlie Cale and Waratahs back-rower Langi Gleeson options.
Smith’s exclusion is more surprising.
A hard-working lock, the 27-year-old was called up for the first time alongside Reds teammate Angus Blyth, Nick Frost and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto.
Force captain Jeremy Williams is likely seen more of a blindside flanker option but could also feature in the second-row.
After a two-day break, the Wallabies will regroup on Sunday morning in Sydney.
