Quade Cooper is likely to start in this weekend's Bledisloe Cup test against the All Blacks in Dunedin, with the Australians losing midfield back Christian Lealiifano to an ankle injury.
Lealiifano has joined injured flanker Scott Fardy in being unavailable for the match, with Matt Toomua likely to replace him at second five eight.
Toomua has started at first-five in both of the Rugby Championship losses to the All Blacks this season and Cooper is now almost certain to retain the first five's spot he's held for the last four matches.
Lealiifano has played all nine of Australia's matches this year and his goal kicking could be sorely missed by the Wallabies.
