Matt Giteau will miss Australia's Rugby Championship match in Argentina this weekend due to a sternum injury sustained during last Saturday's last-minute 24-20 win over South Africa, his first test in four years for the Wallabies.
Scans on his nose and chest cleared the 32-year-old Giteau of serious damage, but Australia coach Michael Cheika decided to rest the 93-test veteran ahead of two subsequent tests against New Zealand.
"He's one of the toughest members in the squad and we all witnessed during the match just how passionate Matthew is about representing his country again," Cheika said in a statement Monday. "It's disappointing to lose him for this round. However, knowing he will be right to go for the Bledisloe series is reassuring for the group and our fans."
Scrumhalf Will Genia and winger Rob Horne were earlier ruled out of the trip to Argentina due to injuries sustained in the win over South Africa.
Genia, who was reunited with Quade Cooper in the halves for Australia but was replaced at half time by Nick Phipps, will undergo minor surgery to his right knee.
Giteau left the field for a medical assessment during the second half after a head knock, but returned and made a probing run. He missed a late attempt at a penalty goal from 41 metres that would have levelled the match 20-20, and was still on the field when centre partner Tevita Kuridrani barged over after for a try after the full-time siren sounded to clinch a late, comeback win.
"It's going to be a big year for (Giteau) and to send him over to Mendoza after a very physical test as well as a tight turnaround, just isn't fair on him or the group," Cheika said.
Giteau was ineligible for national selection for three seasons after leaving to play in France after being cut from the Wallabies squad for the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, where Australia placed third.
But changes to the selection policy, allowing foreign-based players with at least 60 test caps to be eligible again for Australia, resulted in Giteau and Toulon teammate Drew Mitchell being included in the Wallabies expanded squad preparing for the World Cup. Mitchell went on as a second-half replacement against South Africa.
Matt Toomua, who added a directness to the Australian backline when he went on as a replacement for Cooper in the second half, is likely to fill the vacant inside centre spot against Argentina.
Christian Lealiifano has also been drafted into the squad in Giteau's absence.
"For the Wallabies to be successful, we need to have the belief that our depth can cover each position and I have that confidence in Christian if he's called upon for this weekend's match," Cheika said. Winger Nick Cummins and scrumhalf Nick White were also included in the squad to travel to Argentina.
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