Donaldson injury a late blow for Wallabies ahead of All Blacks clash

SYDNEY, Oct 15 : Australia's hopes of upsetting the All Blacks in the second Bledisloe Cup test were already looking slim after last week's thumping in Auckland, but they were on life-support on Thursday after flyhalf Ben Donaldson was ruled out by injury. 

In the absence of the injured Carter Gordon, Donaldson had been solid in the number 10 shirt and made contributions to two of Australia's tries in the 50-19 loss at Eden Park that saw the Bledisloe Cup remain in New Zealand for a 24th straight year.

On Thursday, though, an injury to his kicking leg ruled Donaldson out of Saturday's contest at Stadium Australia and Declan Meredith will instead win his fourth cap at flyhalf, with the uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips backing up on the bench. 

"We went into the session, gave 'Donno' a chance to see how that felt," coach Les Kiss told reporters after naming his team on Thursday. 

"Got warmed up, and we just felt it's not worth the risk for him, for the team, so we just moved on quickly. Considering that we have got four more tests after this one, it's important to make sure Donno is in good nick."

While no one would suggest that Donaldson would be the difference between Australia winning or losing on Saturday, another disruption to the combinations that Kiss has managed to forge in his six tests as coach will not help. 

He had already been forced to bring Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back into the midfield with Isaac Henry because of Len Ikitau's concussion and Hunter Paisami's suspension.

The Wallabies have now lost their last 12 tests against their trans-Tasman Sea rivals and will be desperate for a win over the All Blacks in front of their own fans to build some momentum ahead of the World Cup on home soil next year.

ALL BLACKS 'CAN