Tomas Cubelli ruled out for up to six months with knee injury

Argentina scrum-half Tomas Cubelli faces up to six months on the sidelines after rupturing a patellar tendon in his knee during a pre-season match for the Brumbies.

Cubelli, who played 13 Tests for the Pumas last season, will require surgery after suffering the injury in the 37th minute of the Brumbies' warm-up loss to the Waratahs on Saturday.

"The rupture was confirmed by a specialist in Sydney on Monday morning," a Brumbies statement read.

"Cubelli will undergo surgery on Tuesday and will begin his rehabilitation with the Brumbies thereafter."

The 27-year-old half-back, who has played 58 times for his country, was an integral member of the Brumbies team that won the Australian conference to reach the Super Rugby play-offs last year.

His extended absence will offer plenty of game-time for 22-year-old Joe Powell, a former carpenter who won a surprise call-up to the Wallabies squad last year. Uncapped teenager Ryan Lonergan is the other scrum-half in the squad.

The Brumbies travel to Christchurch to play the Crusaders in their Super Rugby season-opener on February 25, live on Sky Sports.