Rugby Championship: Wallabies flanker Rob Leota ruled out with Achilles injury

The Wallabies suffered a massive setback when it was revealed that back-row Rob Leota’s Rugby Championship campaign came to a premature end due to a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The blindside flanker sustained the injury during Australia’s 39-37 loss to New Zealand in Melbourne last Thursday.

The Rebels confirmed that Leota went for scans and he is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

“Rob’s injury is obviously really disappointing for everyone at the club, especially after the excitement in having two local boys playing in a Melbourne Bledisloe Test,” said Rebels general manager of Rugby Nick Stiles.

“Rob is a consummate professional with his training and recovery and someone who is a high character individual, so I have no doubt he’s going to attack his rehabilitation to the best of his ability.

“We were honoured to share last week’s Bledisloe build up with his parents and feel their passion, pride and love for their son.

Full support from the Rebels

“As a club, we’re going to do everything we can to provide the same support for Rob during his rehabilitation process and make sure he comes out from this bigger and better.”

On Saturday, Leota underwent successful surgery and he will start his rehabilitation later this week.

The 25-year-old has represented the Wallabies in 13 Tests since making his debut against the Springboks in last year’s Rugby Championship.

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He is the third Wallaby to suffer an Achilles injury in 2022. This, after they also lost the services of veteran fly-half Quade Cooper and star centre Samu Kerevi within the space of a two weeks during August.

Leota’s injury could see Jed Holloway return to the back-row when the Wallabies face the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, following his stint in the second-row.

Another option is to bring openside flanker Fraser McReight in to the run-on side and shifting the impressive Pete Samu to the blindside.