Wallabies Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane ruled out of rest of series against British and Irish Lions with injury

THE career of Pat McCabe may be over after being sent for scans by specialists to determine the extent of new damage to his neck.

UPDATED: THE career of Pat McCabe may be over with the gutsy Wallabies centre being sent for scans by specialists to determine the extent of new damage to his neck.

McCabe was last night ruled of the series against the British and Irish Lions as was winger Digby Ioane (labral tear in the shoulder joint), who will have scans to hopefully rule out surgery.

Utility back Berrick Barnes (concussion) has been ruled out of Saturday's second Test in Melbourne.

All were casualties of the brutal physical series opener in Brisbane last Saturday night.

Wallabies medicos indicated McCabe re-injured his neck in a similar location to the C1 vertabrae he fractured in the concerning injury that ended last year’s end of season tour.

He will be consult specialists in Sydney this week. Sadly, the possibility of damage more major may decide the future for a player who has put his body on the line in each of the 20 Tests he has played.

Confirmation of the injury toll illuminates some of the new backline permutations for the series-defining Test in Melbourne.

Pat McCabe

Fit-again Joe Tomane and Nick Cummins will jostle for the wing spot absented by Ioane. Kurtley Beale may simply slide into starting fullback for Barnes

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans will stick with James O'Connor at flyhalf for the second Test. This plan has been a project of Deans for more than 18 months and it is just not in his nature to backflip on a firm view. Just ask Quade Cooper.

The news is better for inside centre Christian Lealiifano, who is making a steady recovery after his opening-minute concussion in Brisbane.

Outside centre Adam Ashley-Cooper, who underwent scans on his shoulder, is also on the improve with medical staff confident he will be available.

IOANE TOLD TO FRONT COURT

Uncapped Brumbies fullback Jesse Mogg moves into contention for a bench spot as does Reds centre Ben Tapuai.

"I was expecting to be at my uncle's 40th birthday in Brisbane on Saturday night," Tapuai said.

Tapuai said he didn't let himself mope after being dropped to the reserves bench and politely corrected coach Robbie Deans on his comment that Quade Cooper's style of play had contributed to his lessened impact in the Reds midfield.

"I was pretty surprised he (Deans) said that. It wasn't in my considerations of my form. My form was down and it was no one else but me," Tapuai said.

"I wasn't bringing my strengths to the game but I've made some changes and I felt improvements when I had my chances back in the starting team (against the Rebels and Lions)."