Mc Cabe Blow Forces Robbie Deans to Reshuffle

Australia head coach Robbie Deans will have to reshuffle his back-line for the upcoming rugby union championship following the news that centre Pat McCabe will miss the majority of the tournament with a leg injury.

The 24-year old sustained a stress fracture to his left leg and will now miss Australia’s back-to-back tests against New Zealand at the start of the inaugural four-team competition.

McCabe’s absence will be a blow to Deans and the Aussie squad ahead of what will be a gruelling championship rugby tournament , but the Brumbies star has backed his national team boss to find a suitable replacement in time for the start of the competition.

"It’s a big blow. The Tests against the All Blacks are the ones you'd most like to be involved in," McCabe said.

"It would have been a huge challenge and one I was definitely looking forward to, but I think we've got a number of guys who can fill that spot extremely well and they'll do really well."

The most likely option available to Deans is that of Adam Ashley-Cooper. The Waratah’s back would bring plenty of international experience to the back-line, and Ashley-Cooper would be determined to prove he deserves his place back in the starting line-up.

Ben Tapuai is another who will be looking to catch Deans’ eye in training. The Reds centre has deserved his place in the Australia squad and would be able to step straight into McCabe’s position and play his natural game. The 23-year old is yet to make his Wallabies debut, but his form for the Reds last season will give Tapuai plenty of confidence that he can hold his own on the international stage.