Wallabies hit by props crisis as Ben Alexander ruled out of France series

THE series-ending exit of Ben Alexander has turned into a prop crisis for the Wallabies with James Slipper in doubt for the first Test against France.

Australia v Wales Rugby test preparations. The Wallabies train at Coogee Oval for saturdays 3rd test in Sydney. Ben Alexander.

THE series-ending exit of Ben Alexander has turned into a prop crisis for the Wallabies with James Slipper in doubt for the feisty French scrum offensive in the first Test.

The ankle injury cloud over Queenslander Slipper may prove more disruptive than losing Alexander because the squad’s most experienced prop was only likely to be on the bench.

Slipper, new captain Stephen Moore and Sekope Kepu are the Wallabies top-choice front-row after grooving a partnership on last year’s Wallaby tour of Europe.

Slipper is unlikely to train fully today when the Wallabies have the first run of their abbreviated five-day preparation for Saturday night’s tricky opener against France at Suncorp Stadium.

He was forced off in the final five minutes of the Reds’ 38-31 win over the Highlanders last Friday night.

James Slipper injured his ankle against the Highlanders.

Loosehead prop Slipper is a key figure in the pack plans of coach Ewen McKenzie because of his assertive scrummaging and his big workrate and skills around the park.

It was Slipper who fractured the Highlanders front-row last Friday night to lead a big pushover try just as he did against the ACT Brumbies earlier in the season.

While he is confident of being fit for the Test, McKenzie is a stickler for having his starting side ready to train from the beginning of the week.

Alexander, the 62-Test stalwart, was on Sunday withdrawn from the squad for this month’s three Tests so an ongoing nerve compression injury can heal.

Even if Slipper is fit, Pek Cowan, Scott Sio and late squad call-up Paddy Ryan have just 11 Test caps between them as the bench prop options.

Inviting Melbourne Rebels tight-head Laurie Weeks to scrum against the Wallabies this week is a savvy McKenzie call because his squat 1.80m frame mirrors the awkward size of French tight-head thorn Nicholas Mas.

Paddy Ryan has been called into the Wallabies squad.

The call to rest Alexander was by mutual agreement between the player, ACT Brumbies, McKenzie and Australian Rugby Union medical staff.

“When you consider the challenge we’ll face against an extremely physical and abrasive French scrum, we all agreed it would be better for Ben to rehab the injury and regain his strength,” McKenzie said.

“The injury is one I understand quite well being a former tight-head prop.

“While not a sinister issue, it can significantly influence performance due to the impact it has on a player’s overall strength.

“It has been admirable to see Ben push through the pain at a Super Rugby level.”

French flyhalves Remi Tales and Frederic Michalak will fly into Brisbane on Tuesday to join the tourists after neither savoured a personal high in yesterday’s French Top 14 final in Paris.

Tales couldn’t get his side closer than an 18-10 loss to Jonny Wilkinson’s Toulon while Michalak was left out of the champion’s 23-man squad.

As the fresher man, Michalak is frontrunner to start the first Test.

“It is French rugby. He (Michalak) is not in the 23 men for the final but still he may play for us,” French coach Philippe Saint-Andre said.

“We will adapt. The most important thing is to focus 120 per cent because we know how tough three Tests will be in Australia.”

Originally published as Wallabies hit by props crisis as Ben Alexander ruled out of France series