Wallabies first-choice hooker Jordan Uelese might be fit to take on Six Nations champions Ireland, with his injury in Melbourne's Super Rugby match not as serious as first thought.
The Australians faced heading into the Suncorp Stadium match next Saturday night in Brisbane without a capped hooker, after Uelese went down in the second half of the Rebels' win over the Blues in Auckland.
Uelese came off the bench in Saturday's second half of the 20-10 victory and suffered the injury while tackling Blues flanker Jerome Kaino in the 69th minute.
The 21-year-old immediately clutched at his knee and lay prone until he was assisted from the field by trainers.
But the Rebels said, post-match, it appeared he might have only strained the joint.
"The physio is thinking more a strain than a tear," a Rebels spokesman said.
"He will go for scans tomorrow and will go into camp with the Wallabies."
Stephen Moore's retirement and Australian coach Michael Cheika's decision to rest Tatafu Polota-Nau meant Uelese, with just 30 Test minutes to his name, was the most-experienced hooker.
The other selections, Reds rake Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Folau Fainga'a from the Brumbies, are yet to debut for the Wallabies.
If Uelese is ruled out, his Rebels teammate Anaru Rangi could get a call-up.
Ireland also lost their first-choice hooker, with skipper Rory Best ruled out this week by a hamstring injury, with Munster No.2 Niall Scannell his replacement.
Melbourne's exciting rookie back Jack Maddock, set to make his Wallabies debut, also limped off the field in the 70th minute after copping a knock to his ankle but was expected to be cleared to play.
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