The Super Rugby Pacific season has finally entered the finals stage and soon the selections for the Wallabies squad to take on Wales will begin. Unfortunately, the Wallabies currently have a problem with the loosehead prop position.

In terms of the selections that will be made for the Wallabies, new coach Joe Schmidt will undoubtedly pick some of the most hardworking and experienced players for key positions such as flyhalf, fullback, centre and the front row of the forward pack.

When it comes to packing scrums, the front row is key to having success with the biggest and strongest players on the field going head-to-head. Australia is known to have produced some of the strongest props such as Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou and James Slipper.

This year however, while the Australian Super Rugby Pacific teams have produced some of the finest tighthead props and hookers to bolster the Wallabies front row, the loosehead props are a different story. Looseheads are in short supply and it could spell danger against the Welsh, then the formidable Georgian pack.

Throughout this Super Rugby season, a concerning amount of loosehead props have been getting injured. Players in the No.1 jersey are supposed to have excellent scrummaging technique, strength and endurance, and so far the loosehead props of Australia have either been suffering from injuries or suffering from ordinary performances.

James Slipper is currently battling an injury to his calf muscle which meant he missed out on the final-round clash against the Western Force and is also likely to miss out on the quarter-final clash against the Highlanders.

Teammate Blake Schoupp is also expected to miss the quarter-final match due to a shoulder injury sustained two minutes into the match against the Force. Melbourne Rebels prop Isaac Kailea has been average this year; he hasn’t been bad but he hasn’t been good either. And Matt Gibbon hasn’t exactly stoked the same intrigue that earnt him a gold jumper off the back of 2022 SR form.

Based on the Brumbies injury timeline provided, James Slipper should be available for the Rugby Championship but the Wallabies need loosehead props for the July Tests and so far, the options are dwindling by the game.

One option is Alex Hodgman who previously played for the Auckland Blues and All Blacks, and has been impressive when seeing the turf for the Reds this season.

Considering his history with Joe Schmidt, during the Wallabies coach’s tenure at the Blues, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him included.

Another impressive loosehead is Harry Vella who was put on the field after Schoupp went down against the Force.

The Brumby didn’t look out of place as he ended up playing for the rest of the first half and all of the second.