Wallabies midfield stocks wear thin

RISING star Jordan Uelese is set to be the bolter in the Wallabies Bleidsloe Cup squad, but injury concerns to the midfield will be causing coach Michael Cheika headaches as the August 19 showdown looms.

Kurtley Beale’s hamstring injury remains an issue, while Samu Kerevi has a pectoral strain that also must be managed.

With Karmichael Hunt already ruled out of the series after ankle surgery, the midfield stocks are wearing thin and Cheika will hope both Beale and Kerevi recover in time to face the All Blacks in Sydney.

Uelese, 20, is set to be chosen as the third hooker in the squad behind Tatafu Polota-Nau and former skipper Stephen Moore.

Waratahs rake Tolu Latu has been struggling with a neck injury suffered during a club rugby game he played for Sydney University, which he was forced to do after missing a NSW training session one month ago.

Winger Sefanaia Naivalu, who scored two tries in the previous Test against Italy in June before limping off with an ankle injury, is set to be sidelined for a further two months after requiring surgery to fix the damage.

But while the Wallabies have depth in the outside backs, the midfield is a huge area of concern.

If Beale and Kerevi do not regain fitness in time for the opening Test against New Zealand at ANZ Stadium, Reece Hodge and Tevita Kuridrani will be the likely centre pairing.

But there is bare coverage beyond that, with Bernard Foley the only recognised fiveeighth in the squad.

Hodge would be the backup playmaker and beyond him there is nobody who could fulfil such a role at Test level.

The lack of Australian playmakers was highlighted during Super Rugby this year when the Brumbies and Rebels used Kiwi five-eighths, while the Western Force had South African Peter Grant in their squad.