Bernard Foley on standby for Wallabies debut as Matt Toomua battles ankle injury

WARATAHS five-eighth Bernard Foley is on standby to make his Test debut against Argentina, with reserve pivot Matt Toomua in doubt.

WARATAHS five-eighth Bernard Foley is on standby to make his Test debut against Argentina on Sunday, with reserve pivot Matt Toomua in doubt with an ankle injury.

Toomua strained ligaments during a second-half cameo in the Wallabies' 20-point defeat to South Africa in Cape Town and, with the team travelling five hours after the full-time whistle, flew to Rosario limping and in discomfort.

The rookie is recovering quickly but should Toomua fail a fitness test, Foley is in line to step up and earn a possible maiden Test cap against the Pumas.

"He rolled his ankle but it has progressed well," coach Ewen McKenzie said.

The rapid rise of Bernard Foley

"We'll see what happens tomorrow (Wednesday morning) when we train, we'll see what progress he has made.

"The swelling has certainly come down. He is the only one in any sort of doubt."

Foley almost made his Test debut more than a year ago when Berrick Barnes came close to missing the Wallabies' second Test win over Wales in Melbourne due to the birth of his first baby in June.

Foley was on standby and learned all the plays, but Barnes made it back from Sydney with only hours to spare and went on to win man of the match.