Wallabies dealt injury blow with winger to return home to Australia

Wallabies winger Dylan Pietsch will return home to Australia after suffering a calf injury in the thrilling 42-37 win over England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. Josh Flook has been called into the squad as a replacement as the Wallabies prepare to face Wales in Cardiff.

Pietsch was replaced in the 47^th minute as the Wallabies clung to a two-point lead. The visitors extended their advantage about two minutes after the speedster was replaced by Max Jorgensen, with lock Jeremy Williams scoring a brilliant try along the left touchline.

While the Wallabies went on to claim victory after Jorgensen flew down that very same sideline in the 84^th minute, they have been dealt a blow. Pietsch had shown signs of promise after earning a maiden Test start in the second Bledisloe Cup Test at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

The 26-year-old was among the Wallabies’ best during that loss to the All Blacks in New Zealand’s capital, with Stephen Hoiles later comparing Pietsch to two-time John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete on Stan Sports’ Between Two Posts.

But, the Wallabies confirmed on Wednesday morning (AEST) that Pietsch would miss the rest of the team’s Grand Slam tour. Six-Test midfielder Flook returns to the nation’s top squad after suiting up at outside centre for the Australia XV in the draw with Bristol Bears.

“Dylan Pietsch picked up a calf injury against England and will return to Australia to begin his recovery,” the Wallabies’ Instagram post read.

“Josh Flook will join the squad in Cardiff.”

While Pietsch is now out of the picture for the remainder of the Wallabies’ international season, those still available will look ahead to three more Test matches during their Spring Tour. Australia will take on Wales and Scotland before finishing the year against Ireland in Dublin.

For a team that only won one of their six matches during The Rugby Championship, last week’s win over England would have come as a major confidence boost. They showed resilience, flair, and an unwavering sense of determination to snap their hoodoo at the Twickenham venue.

 

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With that win now in the books, they’ll look to pile more misery onto Wales who haven’t won a Test match since last year’s Rugby World Cup. They’re on a 10-Test losing streak, with their only win since the sport’s showpiece event coming against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane.

The Wallabies, even without Pietsch, will be full of belief going into this Test.

“I’m not sure we’ve turned it around. I think we’re turning,” Schmidt told reporters after the win over England.

“Inevitably, progress is never linear, so there’ll be a few peaks and troughs on the way further forward, but I’ve found a really good bunch of people, both in the staff and in the playing group.

“The players can grow confidence in themselves. And I thought some of the skill exhibited, some of the things we’ve been working really hard on, were certainly visible, which gives us a bit of confidence, certainly gives the players a bit of confidence.

“I think there’s green shoots.”