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Reuters

Australia head to London for their final Rugby Championship test with renewed concerns about their back row after Sean McMahon suffered a “significant” ankle injury in the loss to South Africa in Pretoria.
McMahon, nominally a flanker, came into the side at number eight for the 18-10 defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in place of the injured David Pocock.
The 22-year-old was taken off at half-time after trying to run off the injury and Australia coach Michael Cheika sounded resigned to rejigging his back row for next week’s clash with Argentina at Twickenham.
“It would have to be something ... pretty significant for him not to come back out for the second half,” Cheika said.
Watch: South Africa v Australia highlights


“He’s gone off for some scans so we’ll have a look at that when he gets back.”
The back row was an area of strength for Cheika last year when, faced with a surfeit of top-quality openside flankers, he opted for the experimental ploy of playing fetcher Pocock at number eight.
Shut up: Allister Coetzee hails skipper Adriaan Strauss and match-winner Morne Steyn after Springbok victory over Wallabies
It has been less successful this season, in which the Wallabies have lost six of eight tests, but Cheika persisted with the experiment after losing Pocock to a broken hand two weeks ago.
“That’s two now in that spot,” Cheika said. “So we’ll see where we end up next week. But [McMahon] was going well when he was on there and that was pleasing.”

Cheika’s problem is the lack of traditional number eights at his disposal after the international retirement of Wycliff Palu and an injury to Ben McCalman.
Lopeti Timani, who plays at the back of the scrum for the Melbourne Rebels, is in the squad but has played just one test off the bench against Argentina in Perth last month.
New faces: Sefa Naivalu and Tolu Latu in Wallabies squad for South Africa and Argentina clashes
Cheika put Saturday’s defeat to the Springboks down to Australia not taking their chances, but was at least happy that South Africa had failed to cross the try line, with all of their points coming from the boot of flyhalf Morne Steyn.
Coming after the Wallabies shipped 19 tries in their first five matches of the season against England and New Zealand, Cheika thought it indicated his much-changed squad were gelling.

“It’s usually a good sign of a team coming together is defence,” he said.
“We’ve had 10 debutants, a lot of new players in the squad and we’re building our team harmony, our friendships and the things that happen off the field.
“Because that’s what defence is, you want to tackle and defend for each other on the field.”


‘Stop whining,’ New Zealand’s Steve Hansen tells Australian counterpart Michael Cheika

New Zealand overcome Australia in Bledisloe Cup for record 18th straight test triumph

Quade Cooper dropped as Australia try to stop all-conquering All Blacks

‘Focused’ All Blacks won’t be distracted by Australia in world record bid

The Rugby Championship 2016

Australia face rejig for London trip to face Argentina after Sean McMahon injury blow

Australia’s Sean McMahon is tackled by South Africa’s Francois Louw. Photo: AP

Australia's number eight David Pocock passes the ball during the Rugby Championship match between Australia and South Africa at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on September 10, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick HAMILTON / IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE

Australian prop Scott Sio (L) scores a try during the Castle Lager Rugby Championship international test match between South Africa and Australia at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on October 1, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / GIANLUIGI GUERCIA

Holding on: Australia’s blitz start paves way for victory over Argentina

Australia scrum half Will Genia, who had an outstanding game, scores against Argentina in the Rugby Championship match in Perth. Australia won 36-20. Photo: AFP

epa05544159 Tatafu Polota-Nau (L) of the Wallabies is tackled by Leonardo Senatore of the Pumas during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05544155 Michael Hooper (L) of the Wallabies runs to score a try during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05544193 Facundo Isa (L) of the Pumas is tackled by Stephen Moore of the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05543983 Austin Creepy (L) of the Pumas ia tackled by Sekope Kepu of the Wallabies during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the Argentina Pumas at NIB Stadium in Perth, Australia, 17 September 2016. EPA/RICHARD WAINWRIGHT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Sigh of relief: Australia beat South Africa to snap six-game losing streak

Bernard Foley (centre) celebrates after scoring. Photos: EPA

epa05533063 Wallabies player Bernard Foley kicks a penalty during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAVE HUNT AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05533084 Semu Kerevi (C) of the Australian Wallabies is tackled by Springboks player Lood de Jager (top) during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

epa05533130 Will Genia of the Australian Wallabies passes the ball during the Rugby Championship match between the Australian Wallabies and the South African Springboks at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, 10 September 2016. EPA/DAN PELED AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT

Mumm’s the word: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika seeks Australia set-piece boost against South Africa

Australia's Dean Mumm runs with the ball during the Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand. Photo: EPA

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett (R) is tackled by Australia's Reece Hodge during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

Australia stand dejected as the Bledisloe cup is presented to New Zealand during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

Really? Wallabies job not under threat insists Australia coach Michael Cheika after sixth straight defeat

Australia coach Michael Cheika. Photo: EPA

New Zealand's Ben Smith (L) is tackled by Australia's Quade Cooper during the rugby Test match between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington on August 27, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Marty Melville

Sport

Rugby

Flanker came into the side at number eight for the 18-10 defeat at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday in place of the injured David Pocock


Australia head to London for their final Rugby Championship test with renewed concerns about their back row after Sean McMahon suffered a “significant” ankle injury in the loss to South Africa in Pretoria.
