Sunday 12 June 2016 13:43, UK
Australia forward David Pocock will miss the remainder of the Test series against England after suffering a fractured eye socket.
The Australian Rugby Union confirmed the seriousness of the injury, which Pocock suffered during Saturday's 39-28 loss in Brisbane.
Pocock, rated one of world rugby's best players, was replaced in the 69th minute of the first Test under the blood rule before scans later confirmed the injury.
"Gutted to be ruled out of the rest of the Aus v Eng series with a fractured eye socket. Disappointing but these things happen," Pocock stated on social media.
"I'll be cheering on the Wallabies over the next two weeks."
The 28-year-old has missed just one Test through injury since 2014, following knee reconstruction surgery.
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika has so far not confirmed a replacement, with Western Force No 8 Ben McCalman, NSW Waratahs' Wycliff Palu or possibly Sean McMahon of the Melbourne Rebels among the contenders.
Cheika has strength in that area of the team with Scott Fardy and Michael Hooper, but he is understandably disappointed to lose Pocock.
"There's options there that have experience in the frontline," Cheika said.
"We're fortunate there, but at the same time disappointed to lose a player of David's quality, the skills he brings to the game and that dynamic we have in the back-row with himself, Michael and Scott.
"We'll have a look at the game again today as coaches, we'll see what we want to go with and how we might want to play the game next Saturday."
Australia must win the second Test in Melbourne next weekend to keep the three-Test series alive.
England's win over the second-ranked Wallabies was their first in Brisbane and only their fourth victory in 18 internationals between the two nations in Australia.
