Injuries to key backs Digby Ioane and Will Genia have added to the frustration felt by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans in the aftermath of his team's 21-20 second Test loss to England.
Ioane is set to miss the entire Tri-Nations campaign, Deans confirming the blockbusting back will require a shoulder reconstruction that will sideline him for around four months.
Genia, who had only just returned from another injury, is touch-and-go for the start of Australia's Tri-Nations campaign against South Africa in Brisbane on July 24th, after x-rays confirmed the halfback has a broken right thumb.
Australia play Ireland in Brisbane on Saturday.