29-07-2025
Joe Schmidt dealt Allan Ala'alatoa blow ahead of third Lions Test
Australia have been dealt a major blow ahead of Saturday's final Test with the British and Irish Lions, with prop Allan Ala'alatoa ruled out of the Sydney clash due to injury.
The tighthead suffered a shoulder injury in last weekend's 29-26 defeat at the MCG, with the Wallabies confirming he will play no further part in the series.
His absence will be keenly felt, with the 31-year-old featuring in all 16 games the Wallabies have played under Schmidt, while he has started each of their three international games this summer.
With the Brumbies prop ruled out, Western Force's Tom Robertson looks most likely to step into the starting side for Saturday's third and final Lions Test at Accor Stadium, having replaced Ala'alatoa at half time in the MCG last Saturday.
It also opens the door for Taniela Tupou to return to the matchday squad. The Queensland Reds prop – who is set to move to Racing 92 in France this coming season – is yet to feature for the Wallabies this summer, having fallen out of favour with Schmidt.
Tupou was released from the Wallabies squad last week to feature for the First Nations and Pasifika XV against the Lions in Melbourne, and caused the tourists significant problems both at scrum time and in the loose.
The Wallabies are also set to be without winger Harry Potter for the final Test on Saturday, after he suffered a hamstring injury midway through the first half of Saturday's game.
