Wallaby McCalman out 6 weeks after shoulder break

Australia back-row forward Ben McCalman was ruled out of the third and final Test against England with a shoulder injury that will sideline him for up to six weeks.

The Western Force No. 8 came off the bench in the Wallabies' second Test defeat in Melbourne on Saturday and broke his scapula (shoulder blade) soon after, but continued playing.

Queensland Reds' Leroy Houston has been called up to take his place in the squad, the Australian Rugby Union said.

McCalman will likely be the only forced change to the Wallabies side for the final Test in Sydney on Saturday, although coach Michael Cheika is eyeing other potential reshuffles as he bids to avoid a 3-0 series whitewash.

"We'll probably make a couple of changes," he said on the ARU website.

"I thought I might make a couple each game just to have a look at guys who have shown, either through Super Rugby or through the series, they're vying for spots. We'll sort those out over the next day or so."

The Wallabies committed a multitude of handling errors, many in strong attacking positions, as England triumphed 23-7 in the second Test last weekend.

It followed the well-drilled and motivated Six Nations champions, coached by Australian Eddie Jones, ambushing the Wallabies 39-28 in the first Test in Brisbane a week earlier.

Source: AFP