Triple blow for Wallabies

The Wallabies suffered a triple blow ahead of the crucial second Test against the British and Irish Lions in Melbourne on Saturday.

Inside centre Pat McCabe and wing Digby Ioane have been ruled out of any further participation in the Test series.

Fullback Berrick Barnes is out of the second Test, but may still feature in the third and final international.

Both players sustained injuries during last Saturday's 21-23 first Test loss in Brisbane – which will require further examination by specialists, ruling out any chance of their appearing further in the series.

McCabe re-injured his neck in a similar location to an injury first sustained on last year's year-end tour. He will be seeing specialists in Sydney in the coming days to ascertain the way forward following further scans.

Ioane suffered internal damage to his right shoulder and will also require further follow up scans, with surgery a possibility.

The pair will be joined on the sideline for the second Test by fullback Berrick Barnes, who was concussed in the first half of last weekend's match.

His recovery is being managed according to the IRB concussion guidelines.

Barnes – who has a long history of concussion related incidents, including a stint on the sidelines with sportsman's migraine – will not be considered for Saturday's second Test, although it is hoped he will have recovered in time to be considered for the third game in Sydney.

The news is better for inside centre Christian Leali'ifano, who is making an excellent recovery after he too sustained concussion, in the opening minute of the first Test.

Leali'ifano, whose management has also followed the IRB guidelines, has made good progress and is expected to be able to be considered for selection for this weekend.

Outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, who underwent scans on his shoulder after the Test in Brisbane, is also on the improve, with medical staff confident he will be available in time for the game following further rehabilitation of the injury.

The Wallabies team for Saturday's second Test.