The Melbourne Rebels and Wallabies have received a major blow with Rob Leota suffering a ruptured Achilles.
Leota picked up the injury during the first half of Thursday’s 39-37 defeat to the All Blacks at Marvel Stadium.
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The Rebels announced the 25-year-old went for scans on Saturday, confirming the long-term injury.
“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 GM 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.
“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.”
The backrower underwent successful surgery on Saturday and will begin his rehab later this week.
Leota has played 13 games for the Wallabies since his debut against South Africa last year, making his first start since the England series.
It continues the bad run of luck for the Wallabies with Achilles injuries, losing Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi within the space of a fortnight in August.
The injury will likely see Jed Holloway return to the back-row following his shift to lock, with Fraser McReight another contender, pushing the impressive Pete Samu to blindside flanker.
